Forgotten naturalized stepkids

The record books will show that the Philippines won its last FIBA Asia Cup (then known as the Asian Basketball Confederation Championships) in Kuala Lumpur in 1985-86. It’s been 37 long years since then and a lot of fans may have forgotten who were on that Philippine title team. At the time, FIBA allowed a national team to enlist two naturalized players so in the Philippines’ case, they were Jeff Moore and Dennis Still. The other players were Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim, Hector Calma, Franz Pumaren, Yves Dignadice, Elmer Reyes, Alfie Almario, Tonichi Yturri, Jerry Codinera, Pido Jarencio and Benjie Gutierrez. Coach was Ron Jacobs.

The prize for bagging the title was a qualifying slot to represent the Philippines at the FIBA World Cup in Spain on July 5-20, 1986. However, the Philippines forfeited its ticket for political reasons and unfortunately, the national team was disbanded. A naturalized player-in-waiting was Chip Engelland. Moore, Still and Engelland were never invited back to play for the Philippines. They went their separate ways. Engelland labored in the US minor leagues then became a celebrated shooting coach with an NBA all-star clientele, later to join the staff of several NBA teams. Moore pitched his tent in Mexico and played several years as the local league’s Michael Jordan. Still continued to hoop in Argentina and now lives in Kansas. He often visits Moore in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.

During the recent FIBA World Cup, Moore flew in to reunite with Engelland who was in town with the US team. They met up with former teammates in a reunion. Moore couldn’t stay for long as his traveling budget was limited. Engelland left the day after the tournament ended. Moore said Still had medical issues and couldn’t fly over.

The other day, Moore reached out appealing for assistance from anyone who still remembers how he sacrificed for the country nearly 40 years ago. He’s now 63 and in dire financial straits. “I’m in need of finance to get my basketball academy up and running so that will be how I make my living,” said Moore who has three kids and a grandchild. “I need help from those who are doing well. I’m willing to be a consultant for the new league (PSL) where Allan is the commissioner. I’m sure I’ve touched a lot of people’s hearts in the Philippines. It’s not like I’m asking for a kidney but if my teammates needed one, I would give mine.”

Moore said he’s creating a fund-raising account. “My purpose is to improve the lives of others but it just so happens I need some help at this moment,” he said. “Over the years, Filipinos would tell me the country owes a debt of gratitude for what we achieved. I’m not asking for a trillion dollars. It’s bizarre that Dennis and I are the forgotten stepkids. In the short term, I need $1,000 to pay some medical bills by the 20th of this month.”

Moore said he’s gone through hard times lately. A blow was paying $75,000 in back taxes and during the pandemic, he was critically ill and nearly died. “Dennis and I couldn’t understand why we never got a call back to play or visit or do a reunion or coach a team in the PBA,” he said. “I never complained about playing hurt or sacrificing a career to be on the Philippine team. The plan was for coach Ron, Dennis and me to have a career in the Philippines after the national team. But it never happened. With all that we accomplished, one could only imagine how it would’ve been. Now, I need you guys to help me with whatever you can find in your heart. Maybe, a fund-raiser to donate $5 or $10 and you’d be surprised what generous people can do to show appreciation for what we did to bring back the credibility of basketball to the Philippines.”