H Centre owner RP 5 godfather

BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan has approved the appointment of Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero as godfather of the Philippine team that will compete in the SEABA Champions Cup next month in Jakarta and the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.

Pangilinan and Romero formalized their deal in a meeting Friday night at the PLDT office in Makati.

Romero was nominated to the post by the SBP selection committee composed of PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, Air21’s Lito Alvarez, Tanduay’s Wilson Young, UAAP’s Junjun Capistrano and former BAP top official Christian Tan.

After the formal appointment, Romero immediately buckled down to work signing up veteran PBA import Julius Nwosu as reinforcement of the Harbour Centre-RP team to the SEABA Champions Cup.

Romero is eyeing the services of current Purefoods import Jesse King as the team’s other reinforcement in the Jakarta joust which is the qualifier for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran, Iran in September.

Among the things agreed upon by Pangilinan and Romero is that the all-pro team of coach Chot Reyes is to take over in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup should the Harbour Centre team make the grade in the Jakarta qualifier.

"It’s about cooperation, give and take. We reached an agreement which could be good for Philippine basketball," said Romero in his meeting with Pangilinan.

Pangilinan promised to give all-out support, not to mention his inclusion in the RP team delegation to the SEABA Champions Cup slated April 9-14.

Romero said players likely to have a good shot for a spot in the team are Harbour Centre’s JC Intal, Jason Castro, Chico Lanete, Jojo Duncil and Jonathan Fernandez, Toyota’s Marvin Cruz and Eric Rodriguez, Hapee’s Larry Rodriguez and Magnolia’s Al Magpayo.

The team is lacking in ceiling with Eman Samigue, JR Quinahan and Sam Ekwe all nursing injuries. Kenneth Bono has yet to show up for the tryout.

"That’s why we opted to get a rebounder in Julius Nwosu. We have no problem at guards and wingmen," said Romero.

The tryout concludes today, and coach Junel Baculi is likely to name his lineup tomorrow or Tuesday.

Baculi has two Champions Cup crowns tucked under his belt, having led Andok’s and Hapee Toothpaste to championships in 1995 and 1996, respectively.