Aussie Sharks susubukan ang PBA National team

Isang matangkad na Australian selection ang darating sa bansa sa Abril 2 para sa goodwill games kontra sa FIBA Asia-bound national team sa Araneta Coliseum.

Isang 6’10 center at dalawang 6’9 forward ang babandera sa Hoop-dreamz Great White Shark sa kanilang pagbangga sa Powerade-Team Pilipinas sa Abril 3 at 5.

Nauna nito, nangangamba si National coach Yeng Guiao sa kakulangan ng tune-up games para sa National sa kanilang paghahanda sa Medan, Indonesia sa Hunyo para sa Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament, ang qualifier sa Asian Championship sa Agosto sa China.

At sa pagdating ng Australian team, makukuha na ni Guiao at ng Nationals ang nais nila.

“Based on their lineup and what we’ve heard from our sources, this is a good Australian team and we’re excited to test ourselves against tough competition,” wika ni Guiao.

“This is a good opportunity for us and we plan to use the series as a tool and mechanism to evaluate ourselves. We hope to see the progress of the team so we can try to remedy our weaknesses.”

Pinuri naman ni PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios ang nalalapit na goodwill series.

“We’re enthusiastically looking forward to this,” ani Barrios.

“Finally, the RP team will get to play tune-up games with a big team like the Australian selection. We’re also happy for our million of PBA and basketball fans since they would be able to watch the games live either at the Araneta Coliseum or on TV via C/S-9,” aniya.

Ang RP squad ay binubuo nina team captain Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, James Yap, Gabe Norwood, Jayjay Helterbrand, Arwind Santos, Cyrus Baguio, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo at Jared Dillinger.

Aasiste kay Guiao sa bench sina coach Roehl Nadurata, Gee Abanilla at Kenneth Duremdes.

Ang Australian selection naman ay babanderahan ng NBL superstars, na kinabibilangan nina 6’9 dating MVP Bruce Bolden, swingman 6’7 Graeme Dann, 6’10 Anthony Susnjara at 6’4 Eban Hyams. Kasama din ang Townsville Crocodiles duo na sina 6’7 Brad Williamson at 6’3 Michael Cedar.

Ang iba pang Aussies na kasama ay sina 6’5 Tony Lalic at 6’9 Goran Veg, at ABA stars 6’7 Terry Amir, 6’7 Leslie Coe at 5’11 Sami Tsegay. Ang pinakabata ay ang rookie na si 6’3 Mark De’ Riviere mula Sydney.