Phl cagers to forfeit Asian slots?

MANILA, Philippines - BEST founder and former national coach Nic Jorge is up in arms over the refusal of UAAP schools to allow their key players to represent the country in the 3x3 event of the second Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China, on Aug. 16-24.

Jorge appealed to La Salle Zobel to release the UAAP junior division’s leading scorer Renzo Subido and National University to permit John Paul Cauilan for the chance to play in the quadrennial event which is the qualifier for the 2014 World Youth Olympics also in Nanjing. The two other players in the team have been cleared to leave, UST’s Patrick Ramirez and Xavier School’s George Go. A fifth player, Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, was earlier listed in the roster but was withdrawn as he will be reserved to play with San Beda’s Arvin Tolentino and La Salle Greenhills’ Prince Rivero and Kobe Paras at the FIBA World U-18 3x3 Championships in Jakarta on Sept. 26-29.

“The SBP asked the UAAP Board if it would be okay for the junior players to represent the country and they were cleared to go,” said Jorge who coached the last Philippine team to play at the FIBA World Cup in Manila in 1978. “Round-trip plane tickets have been bought and their names sent to the Nanjing organizers. We understand UST and Xavier have cleared their players to leave but not La Salle Zobel and National University. We are appealing to both schools to release their players just for this period. It’s a rare honor for a player to represent his country in an international competition and the Asian Youth Games are the qualifiers for the World Youth Olympics so there’s a chance for these boys to advance to the world stage. Surely, we can’t take this opportunity away from these players.”

But Jorge admitted the hands of school officials are tied. “Since the UAAP Board approved the release, the technical committee should do something to adjust the schedule of games so the schools are not prejudiced by the absence of Subido and Cauilan,” he said. “I really don’t blame the schools for refusing. There has to be close coordination so nobody loses in this situation. We don’t want to jeopardize the chances of La Salle Zobel and National University because Subido and Cauilan are key players.”

Subido leads the UAAP juniors in scoring with a 23.1 average and is No. 2 in steals with a 2.4 clip. Cauilan is averaging 18.4 points and four offensive rebounds a game, shooting 608 from two-point distance and .381 from three-point range. Ramirez is averaging 3.7 points and 4.7 rebounds for the UST juniors. Because Subido and Cauilan are vital players, their absence will surely affect the outcome of games. Jorge said adjusting the UAAP junior schedule during the 10-day period of the Asian Youth Games could be worked out but the league must give the go-signal to the technical committee.

Jorge himself was placed in a tough spot because he will make a unexpected comeback as coach. “I’m the team manager but coach Britt Reroma isn’t available because he’s in Cebu and assistant coach Allan Ascue is also not available so all of a sudden, I’m back to coaching,” he said. “It’s of course a stressful thing for me at my age but I’m doing this for the country and for the boys. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to do because national pride is at stake.”

At the first Asian Youth Games in Singapore in 2009, the Philippines was represented by Jeron Teng, Michael Tolomia, Jeoffrey Javillonar and Mario Bonleon in the 3x3 event. The coach was Eric Altamirano. The team won its first five games over Iran, 27-26, Mongolia, 34-11, Japan, 34-26, Jordan, 35-31 and United Arab Emirates, 33-9, to barge into the Final Four. In the semifinals, the Philippines muffed six free throws and lost a 34-31 thriller to China. South Korea tripped the Philippines, 33-29, in the battle for the bronze medal.

Philippine delegation chef de mission Tac Padilla said 57 athletes, including four in basketball, are listed to compete in Nanjing. The Filipinos are entered in basketball, shooting, badminton, weightlifting, tennis, table tennis, judo, athletics, aquatics, rugby 7s, fencing and golf. The country is not represented in football, handball and squash. The competition is open to athletes born from 1996 to 1999.

If the boys are allowed to leave for Nanjing, they will fly out on Aug. 15 and return home on Aug. 25, said Jorge. “There is little time left to decide,” said Jorge. “The tickets are ready, they’ve been paid for. We’re hoping the boys can go for this chance of a lifetime.”