Time to show support

Surely, Powerade Team Pilipinas’ back-to-back losses to open its Jones Cup campaign in Taipei were a jolt to local fans. Bowing to two-time defending champion Jordan by 31 and to Chinese-Taipei by nine was tough to swallow particularly as in the 2007 version, the Philippines nearly beat Jordan before losing by four and trounced the hosts by 18.

But there’s no cause for panic. Now is the time for Filipino fans to show their faith and support for the national squad. It isn’t the time to criticize whomever for whatever shortcomings the team may be showing at this stage. It’s always better to lose early than to lose late. There is more than enough time to regroup, recover and recharge.

Winning the Jones Cup isn’t coach Yeng Guiao’s goal. The tournament is a gauge of where the team is and where the FIBA-Asia opponents are in the run-up to Tianjin. The ultimate objective is to finish top three in the FIBA-Asia conclave and qualify for the World Championships in Turkey next year.

For Guiao, this is definitely a baptism of fire. Now, he knows first-hand what it’s like adjusting to international rules which are extremely different from what the Powerade players are used to in the PBA. The good news is there is probably no team in the Jones Cup with as much individual talent as Powerade. The bad news is in international competition, teamwork wins championships, not individual talent.

Still, a team with individual talent has a tremendous upside and that’s what Guiao is banking on as Powerade improves to a level where it will be a contender in Tainjin.

It’s unfair for fans to throw brickbats at Guiao and his players for the two early losses in Taipei. It’s also unfair and painful for the two American commentators on ESPN to verbally clobber the Philippines. The commentators, who are operating out of a booth in Singapore, brutally referred to the PBA stars as boys in a men’s league and lashed out at their brand of streetball showboating. Obviously, they had no sympathy for a team that was blasted out of the gym by Jordan.

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For the record, the Philippines didn’t participate in last year’s Jones Cup. Harbour Centre was lined up to represent the country but withdrew, leaving eight teams to dispute the crown. The final 2008 standings were: No. 1 Jordan, No. 2 Athletes in Action, No. 3 Australia Under-19, No. 4 Qatar, No. 5 Egypt, No. 6 Kazakhstan, No. 7 Korea University selection and No. 8 Taiwan.

In 2007, coach Chot Reyes led the Philippines to third place behind No. 1 Jordan and No. 2 Lebanon. The Philippines tied for third with Iran, Korea, Athletes in Action and Taiwan but took the bronze because of a superior quotient. Reyes’ squad finished with a 5-4 record, losing to Kazakhstan by 17, Jordan by four, Japan by two and Lebanon by three. One of the Philippines’ victims was Iran, coached by Rajko Toroman, now calling the shots for Smart-Gilas. Toroman later led Iran to the FIBA-Asia title and a spot in the Beijing Olympics.

Reyes used 14 players in 2007 – Mark Caguioa, Jimmy Alapag, Dondon Hontiveros, RenRen Ritualo, Kelly Williams, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Asi Taulava, Kerby Raymundo, Mick Pennisi, Eric Menk, Ranidel de Ocampo and Nino Canaleta.

From the 2007 lineup, only Helterbrand, Norwood, Yap, Taulava, Raymundo, Pennisi and De Ocampo are now playing in Taipei. Reyes’ top five scorers were replaced.

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Tonight, the Philippines battles Lebanon and it’s likely that former NBA cager Jackson Vroman will suit up. Vroman, 28, played two years in the NBA with Phoenix and New Orleans. The 6-10 center was the Chicago Bulls’ second round pick in the 2004 draft. He takes over from Lebanon’s previous naturalized player Joe Vogel of Colorado State.

The other day, Lebanon lost a 73-63 decision to Jordan without Vroman.

Another Lebanese player to watch is 6-9 shooter Brian Beshara, now known as Feghali. Beshara, 31, was born in Dallas and saw action in three years for Louisiana State, Shaquille O’Neal’s alma mater. So far in the Jones Cup, Lebanon has beaten Japan, 90-81, and Taiwan’s second national team, 93-61.

The Philippines has won three Jones Cup titles in 1981 and 1985 with coach Ron Jacobs and in 1998 with coach Tim Cone. The tournament was inaugurated in 1977 and only twice has host Chinese-Taipei topped the competition in 2001 and 2004.

Postscript. Smart Sports is inviting everyone to the “one-sport” photo exhibit at the SM Marikina cyberzone on July 20-26, SM North EDSA cyberzone on July 27-Aug. 2 and SM Megamall Atrium on Aug. 3-8. The Awards Night is set Aug. 8. Come and see our athletes from different sports in action!