RP opens defense vs Singapore today

After months of uncertainty brought about by a basketball crisis, the fourth South East Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) men’s championships comes off the wraps beginning today at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with host Philippines testing its mettle against Singapore.

The RP team begins defense of its title against the Singaporeans at 3:30 p.m. after the 1:30 p.m. game between Thailand and Brunei and before the 5:30 p.m. match pitting Malaysia and Vietnam.

Indonesia, the seventh and last team to confirm participation, debuts on Wednesday against Brunei.

Philippine team head coach Dave Zamar said that his wards, composed of the best players from the Metropolitan Basketball Association and who have been training for the past five months, are ready and confident to take on all contenders to their crown.

"It won’t be a walk in the park because our Asian brothers have improved by leaps and bounds through the years. Dati, banggitin mo lang ang pangalan ng Philippines nanginginig na sila sa takot but now, not anymore. Nakakasabay na sila," said Zamar.

"But we’re definitely prepared for all them. We will be shooting for no less than the championship," vowed Zamar who will be assisted by Cesar Polhen and Bong Ramos, and trainer Gino Manuel.

The field is divided into two brackets with the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam comprising Group A, and the rest making up Group B. The top teams of each bracket play the second-ranked teams of the opposing groups in a crossover semifinal where the winners get to slug it out in a winner-take-all championships.

Attending today’s simple opening ceremonies are Executive Secretary Renato de Villa, Basketball Association of the Philippines president Tiny Literal, RP team manager Alvin Tai Lian and PSC chair Carlos Tuason.

The event is open to the public and will be telecast over PTV 4 with the PBL lending its time slot for the duration of the championship.

"Siguro ito na lang ang maitutulong namin sa national team. Mapapanood ng ating mga kababayan ang SEABA sa national TV. Right after that, mapapanood na nila ang dalawang PBL games ng tuloy-tuloy," said Trinidad.

Malaysia won the event’s inaugural in 1994, while the Indons, backstopped by Romy Chandra and Antonius Ferry Rinaldo this year, ruled the 1996 edition in Surabaya. The Philippines won the crown in 1998.