RP cagers to train in Serbia, US

The RP developmental pool, fresh from its title run in China last week, will have little rest before plunging back into action in its continuing buildup for a series of international tournaments next year.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said the team handled by project director Serbian coach Rajko Toroman will train in Serbia and the United States before competing in several meets, including the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup and the Stankovich Cup.

“So far, the training camp starts on Jan. 7, then we’ll go to Serbia late March and to the United States in April for a series of tournaments,” Eala told The STAR yesterday.

The national team is gearing up for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in May, the Stankovich Cup in October and the Southeast Asian Games in Laos late this year.

The 25-player pool, with more Fil-Ams expected to join, was formed by Toroman and the SBP, headed by Manny V. Pangilinan, last month with hopes of making it through the qualifier of the 2012 London Olympics.

“I’m very happy for the SBP and MVP (Pangilinan), coach Toroman, the team and all those who believe in what’s we’re trying to do at SBP,” said Eala.

“Not only because we won an unexpected title against a strong team in their home court, but more so because this validates that there is hope for Philippine basketball if we work together, plan early and sacrifice for a common cause,” said Eala.

“This is a special victory as it comes very early in our program,” he added.

Eala, however, stressed that there’s a lot of things to be done at this stage.

“There are still lots of work ahead of us and we will not stop dreaming and believing. After all, that’s where it all starts,” he said.

The Nationals, composed of nearly half of the pool, shocked China, 76-72, recently to complete a five-game sweep of the first China-Asean CBO Men’s Invitational tournament in Guangxi Province.

Collegiate stars Chris Tiu and Rabeh Al-Hussaini of reigning UAAP champion Ateneo, Ogie Menor of three-peat NCAA titlist San Beda and JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer of La Salle head the initial roster of players that included Jason Ballesteros of San Sebastian, San Sebastian high school standout Arvie Bringas and 7-foot Fil-Am Greg Slaughter of University of Visayas and Joey Deas, another Fil-Am hotshot from Rockhurst University in Kansas are also in the list.

Others in the fold are Ateneo’s Ryan Buenafe and Nonoy Baclao, Far Eastern U’s Mark Barroca, Mac Baracael and JR Cawaling, University of the East’s Marcy Arellano and Paul Lee, Letran’s RJ Jazul, University of Santo Tomas’ Dylan Ababou, La Salle’s Peejay Barua, University of Cebu’s Rico Fajardo, University of the Philippines’ Magi Sison and Martin Reyes and Santo Tomas’ Jervy Cruz.             – Joey Villar