RP cagebelles set sights on SEABA meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine women’s basketball team is leaving behind its failed bid for next month’s 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China and will instead prove its worth in the SEABA championship set later this month at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Originally, the cagebelles were required by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to win the SEABA tilt to earn their tickets to the Guangzhou Asiad. But the POC decided to scratch it off the roster altogether due to the timing of the Oct. 24-29 SEABA and the Oct. 7 draw of the Asiad. The POC is also concerned about possible sanction if the team eventually pulls out after the draw was made.

“It’s disappointing that we couldn’t go to the Asian Games but there are certain things that are beyond our control. The good thing is that we still have the SEABA; at least we have a venue to prove that we’re deserving of our slot in the Asian Games,” said coach Haydee Ong during yesterday’s SCOOP sa Kamayan sports forum.

Ong will lean on two Fil-Ams, 5-8 forward Melissa Jacob and 6-0 center Ana Pineda and holdovers from the squad that took bronze in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, including Cassandra Noel Tioseco, Diana Rose Jose, and skipper Joan Grajales.

She tagged defending SEABA champion Thailand and reigning SEA Games titlist Malaysia as RP’s toughest competitions in the six-nation meet. Ong said they are also wary of Singapore, a team beefed up by naturalized Chinese players.

“I feel we have a good chance in the tournament, especially since we’ll have the homecourt advantage here. And number two, the core of the team has been practicing for the last two years so cohesion won’t be a problem,” said Ong.