RP team to tap tall players for SEAG

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the relative lack of ceiling, the Philippines managed to sweep the competitions in the 7th SEABA Women’s Championship, including a 76-54 rout of ex-champ Thailand, en route to its first ever international cage title.

So, for the Discovery Perlas ng Pilipinas’ next campaign, the FIBA-Asia Women’s Championship and the Southeast Asian Games in 2011, coach Haydee Ong aims to strengthen the interior of the crew, which paraded only one six-footer in the SEABA in 6-0 Cassandra Tioseco.

“I hope we’ll have legitimate threats in the post for our two major tournaments next year,” said Ong, whose team eyes 6-3 Chinese Zheng Xiaojing as its naturalized player to fill in the gaping hole in the shaded lane.

“Zheng has been here for two years and already played with the team in two tournaments. Hopefully, we can get her naturalized soon and then we’ll also tap tall players along with more shooters,” said Ong, citing the likes of Flor Mata and two-time UAAP MVP Analyn Almazan as among the prospective recruits.

The RP five fielded in a crew with an average height of 5-8 in the SEABA, and making up for it with its quickness, efficient outside shooting and scrappy defense. In their title-clinching victory over 2007 champion Thailand Friday, the Filipinas shot 11 triples while holding down 6-2 Naruemol Banmoo to only six points when they made their breakaway in the second half.

Five-foot-nine power forward Ma. Anna Fatima Tolentino held the fort for RP with a league-best 7.6 rebounds per outing, together with Tioseco (eight points and 4.8 rebounds). Shooting guard Merenciana Arayi (11.6 ppg on 41.2 percent shooting), Melissa Jacob (8.2 ppg on 41 percent clip), and Diana Rose Jose (daughter of Eduardo, not Bobby Jose as earlier reported) with 6.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 3 apg).

“We’ll likely maintain the core of the team so we can continue with our program,” said Ong.

The Filipinas’ victory, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, ended agonizing heartaches dating back to 1972.

“This is history; this is Philippine women’s basketball’s first major victory after being around for almost 40 years,” said Atienza, recalling the previous best finish of second place. “We were frustrated twice in the SEABA and twice in the SEA Games. But the girls really prepared hard for this. They’ve been there for the past three years and now we enjoy the fruits of their hardwork.”