All Systems Go for Japan Bound SMC Pilipinas

The suspense is gripping and everybody is dying to know.But the final composition of the San Miguel-Pilipinas team that will do battle in the FIBA-Asia Men's Championship in Tokushima this weekend is a secret as closely guarded as the identity of the would-be Asian qualifier to the Beijing Olympics in August next year.
National coach Chot Reyes said he will submit the final lineup on July 27 during the FIBA-Asia Managers Meeting, a day before the Philippines is to meet Iran at the start of the preliminary round.Defending champion China is up next on the 29th and Jordan on the 30th, with the Nationals needing at least two wins to gain a strong chance of moving on to the quarterfinal round.It's likely Reyes already has the names of the players he wants down pat but is keeping them close to his chest in the event of unforeseen last-minute injuries and technical problems.The Nationals practiced Monday morning at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center and are scheduled for one more scrimmage Tuesday and Wednesday prior to their departure, and then two more when they arrive in Tokushima.It’s all systems go it seems as Philippine passports have already been issued to Sta. Lucia Realty's Kelly Williams and George Mason University standout Gabe Norwood, two key figures in the RP squad.The players are not allowing the suspense to get the better of their expectations."It's an exciting time for us as players, the coaching staff, the PBA, and especially the Philippines," said point guard Jimmy Alapag of the Talk N Text Phone Pals."We got a great opportunity. Hopefully, we'll reap the fruits of our labor in the last four, five months. We're just excited to get to Japan.""The team is looking good. We just need to sharpen up just a little bit before our first game," said Asi Taulava of the Phone Pals."After winning the Manila Invitational, it feels good. Malaking kumpiyansa bago kami pumunta ng Japan," said Mark Caguioa of the Barangay Ginebra Kings, adding the enormity of their task hasn't hit him yet."Hindi ko rin kasi iniisip. Mape-pressure ka lang lalo e. You're representing the country so that's already a big pressure for you, so I'm not really thinking too much about that."San Miguel's Danny Seigle, who rejoined his teammates during the Kuwait tuneup games after missing three weeks of training due to a pulled hamstring and an ankle sprain, said his injuries are healing fast."It feels pretty good and it no longer bothers me that much," said Seigle, who sat out the Busan Asian Games in 2002 because of a torn Achilles tendon. "Of course I have to work off a little bit of rust, but I'll be prepared mentally and physically come game time."Even the recent additions, Eric Menk of Ginebra, the Realtors' Williams, and James Yap of Purefoods, have put behind their individual ambitions to be part of the overall effort to send a Philippine team back to the Olympic Games basketball competition after 35 years."Of course, everyone would like to know as soon as we can, but we understand that it's kinda out of our hands," said Menk. "What's best for the team is what's best for our chances. We just have to be patient.""Regardless of what happens, we're gonna work as hard as we can, all 15 of us, up to the last day," said Williams. "We're all on the same page. It's not an individual effort but a team effort where everyone will put in 120 percent for the team.""Lahat naman dito deserving. Maraming player ang gusto masama rito at ngayong napili kami, achievement na rin ito," said Yap. "Kahit di ako makuha, okey lang dahil na-experience mo rin naman yung praktis ng RP team. Wala naman talagang mawawala sa'yo. Pag nanalo yung RP team, para na rin sa'ting lahat 'yon."The Nationals leave on the afternoon of July 25 aboard a Philippine Airlines flight that will take them to Osaka before boarding a bus for the two-and-a-half hour drive to Tokushima.

Source: http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1729/59/

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