North tests RP 5 in All-Star joust

MANILA, Philippines – VICTORIAS, Negros Occidental – Expect a showdown, not a showtime that has marked the past PBA All Star Games, when the Powerade Team Pilipinas squares off with the import-reinforced PBA All-Stars today at the Victorias Gym here.

The All Stars have vowed to give the Nationals a tough challenge that could help them in their buildup for the FIBA-Asia world qualifier in China in August, making the 7 p.m. clash a match to watch.

The Nationals are back in action after scoring a two-game sweep of the Australian selection in their goodwill series earlier this month.

Coach Yeng Guiao and his chargers will be up against the North All Stars, under coach Chot Reyes and reinforced by imports Tiras Wade, Shawn Daniels and Jahmar Thorpe, in the kick-off of the three-leg All-Star with a stop in Panabo, Davao del Norte Friday. The All-Star series winds up at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Guiao said they’re looking forward to win and build a habit of winning.

“It’s a matter of pride for us. Losing would be an embarrassment,” said Guiao. “This team would want to prove to everyone that it deserves to be called a national team. And the players in this team would also want to prove that each of them deserves the slots that they have.”

A cash pot of P75,000 is at stake in the 7 p.m. contest but Guiao said they’re only concerned on coming out for this much-needed tune-up, developing camaraderie and improving their game for the coming international campaign.

Reyes said they intend to push the Nationals to the limit to help them in their buildup.

“We’re looking forward to this All-Star. We have a good format in this year’s All-Star Week, designed to help the RP team. We owe it to coach Yeng Guiao and the national team to help them,” said Reyes.

“The least we can do is to come out and give them a real challenge. If we don’t play our best, we’ll be of disservice to the RP team,” Reyes added.

The coach of the RP team that placed ninth in the 2007 FIBA-Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan, Reyes said he’ll have the North team running set plays the Nationals would face in the international stage. “I have at least five offensive sets in mind,” he said.

Coach Tim Cone, who will call the shots for the South team against the RP squad Friday in Panabo, has the same thing in mind.

“The main idea is to help the RP team. So we’ll be there pushing them hard,” said Cone.

Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Sonny Thoss, Kerby Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gabe Norwood, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, James Yap, Jayjay Helterbrand, Jared Dillinger and Cyrus Baguio will be up against Wade, Daniels, Thorpe, Marc Pingris, Rico Villanueva, Macmac Cardona, Paul Artadi, JayR Reyes, Gary David, LA Tenorio, Joseph Yeo and Gabby Espinas today here.

Danny Ildefonso is in the North team lineup but he’s skipping the game to be with his child currently under medical condition.

On Friday, the RP squad tackles the South team composed of Dondon Hontiveros, Jimmy Alapag, Eric Menk, Dorian Pena, Jay Washington, John Ferriols, JR Quinahan, Ronald Tubid, Reynel Hugnatan, PJ Simon and imports Rosell Ellis and Jeff Varem.

Pingris, Villanueva, Cardona, Artadi, Ildefonso, Hontiveros, Alapag, Menk, Pena and Washington team up in playing the Nationals in the culminating All-Star Sunday.

There will be a Most Valuable Player in each of the three games, each winning P20,000.