Chot’s RP team for Asia Cup is quick, versatile

A relatively young team, short in height but not in quickness, versatility and the ability to shoot from the outside, has been tapped to represent the Philippines in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup which the country is hosting May 29-June 5.

Minus marquee Fil-Ams Danny Seigle and Eric Menk, the team’s main weapon could be blinding speed likely to be provided by guards Jimmy Alapag, Willie Miller and Mark Caguioa and wingmen Renren Ritualo, Dondon Hontiveros and Tony dela Cruz.

Suspect is the team’s inside game with only Nic Belasco, Kerby Raymundo, Romel Adducul, Rafi Reavis, Sonny Thoss and Yancy de Ocampo to alternate at the frontcourt.

The team lost a rich source of offensive firepower in Seigle who suffered a severe sprain Wednesday.

Menk and Enrico Villanueva were reportedly left out for missing the team’s practices lately.

Other national pool members not included in the RP team to the Champions Cup are Brandon Cablay, Jayjay Helterbrand, James Yap, Mike Cortez, Anthony Washington and Kenny Williams.

But RP team coach Chot Reyes has said the makeup of the RP squad to the Champions Cup will not necessarily be the same team to be sent to the FIBA Asia Men’s Championship in September.

Teams are allowed to field two imports in the tourney but Reyes opted to play importless in a bid to improve and develop the camaraderie of the team.

"It’s a very balanced lineup, very athletic, very quick. The team has the ability to run and pressure on defense," said Reyes.