Breakthru in RP five formation lauded

Jean Henri Lhuillier, the chief backer of the RP-Cebuana Lhuillier men’s team, expressed optimism that Philippine Basketball will get fresh direction following initial talks between Cebuana Lhuillier and the PBA, with the BAP also reiterating its willingness to work with both parties for the good of Philippine basketball.

"It has always been our intention to work with all the parties concerned with Philippine basketball towards developing an integrated and long-term basketball development program here," said Lhuillier.

"Hosting next year’s ABC championships in the country, an opportunity offered to us when I met with FIBA officials in Taipei during the Jones Cup, will certainly show that finally, everyone is cooperating towards this goal," said Lhuillier.

The national training pool, under a continuous recruitment program, is consistently undergoing training at Cebuana Lhuillier’s own facilities in Las Piñas under coach Dong Vergeire. The training program aims to develop a team for Asian and the international competitions through a long program that includes international stints.

The PBA initiated the talks with Cebuana Lhuillier, since the latter already has an existing sponsorship agreement with the BAP, basketball’s ruling body in the country until 2006. By that time, Lhuillier hopes that the foundation for that ideal long-term program will be firmly in place and can go beyond 2006.

"We are presently looking at the PBA-proposed program, which seeks to expand its role in forming the national team beyond their original agreement with the BAP to take care only of the Asian Games, " said Danny Francisco.