Reyes rues missing chance in world hoops

National coach Chot Reyes said yesterday the Philippines would’ve made a strong showing at the World Basketball Championships now being played in Japan and lamented the country’s absence in the 24-team tournament where Asia is represented by China, Lebanon, Qatar and the host nation.

Reyes, who is in Brunei coaching the Philippines in an international tournament, based his assessment on Lebanon’s performance in Group A. Lebanon has so far compiled a 2-2 record with wins over Venezuela and France and is likely to advance to the round of 16.

Before playing in the World Championships, Lebanon played the Philippines in two exhibition games here and lost both outings. The Philippines mauled Lebanon, 94-75, in the first game last Aug. 13 and repeated with a 105-100 decision in the rematch two days later.

In the Lebanon series, Reyes assembled a national team made up of RenRen Ritualo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Mike Cortez, Willie Miller, Don Allado, Mick Pennisi, Rafi Reavis, Asi Taulava, Arwind Santos, Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams, Denok Miranda and Billy Mamaril.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala said the twin wins over Lebanon reestablished the national team as a contender in Asia.

"We beat Asia’s second best team twice in a row," said Eala. "And we only had a week’s practice. Plus, we didn’t even play Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Kerby Raymundo and James Yap."

Reyes said the Philippines would fare better in Lebanon’s bracket with Argentina, Serbia and Montenegro, Venezuela, France and Nigeria than in Qatar’s "group of death" bracket with Greece, Turkey, Australia, Brazil and Lithuania.

"We could probably beat Venezuela and France as Lebanon did," said Reyes. "I think we would have a slight chance for the round of 16 if we do well against Venezuela, France or Nigeria."

Lebanon defeated Venezuela, 82-72, and France, 74-73, and will face Nigeria in its final preliminary game. Reyes coached the Philippines against Nigeria at the Global Hoops Summit in Las Vegas last year. Nigeria beat the Philippines, 68-62, with the same nucleus coach Sam Vincent is playing in Japan. Nigeria is led by former PBA import Julius Nwosu, Ime Udoka of the New York Knicks, Ekene Ibekwe of the University of Maryland and Jeff Varem of Washington State.

Asked to name the national players who would’ve played at the World Championships if the Philippines qualified, Reyes said the final 12 will depend on injuries and their mother clubs’ cooperation but the majority should come from the team that beat Lebanon twice and the squad now in Brunei.

Reyes said he would prefer to add Yap and Mark Caguioa to the cast but "we couldn’t properly evaluate them because they haven’t played in any of our Asian tune-ups at all."

Reyes drew up a roster of 16 players based on their latest tournament performances and named Alapag, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Cortez, Ritualo, Miller, Dondon Hontiveros, Tony de la Cruz, Williams, Seigle, de Ocampo, Nic Belasco, Pennisi, Taulava, Romel Adducul, Raymundo and Reavis.

"Only those who have made the sacrifice to join an international competition, excluding the Global Hoops Summit, are in," said Reyes. "But this lineup of 16 is, by no means, final."

Qatar is winless in four outings so far in the World Championships, bowing to Greece by 20, Brazil by 31, Lithuania by 41 and Turkey by seven. Japan beat Panama, 78-61, but lost to Angola by 15 and Germany by 11. The host country will advance to the round of 16 with a win over New Zealand.