Chot bares RP lineup for Vegas meet

National coach Chot Reyes yesterday named the 12 cagers to compose the squad representing the country in the 12-team Global Hoops Summit where China, South Korea and Qatar are also playing at the 3,000-seat Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas on July 16-21.

The roster is made up of 6-0 Mike Cortez, 24, 5-10 Jay-Jay Helterbrand, 28, 6-0 Ren-Ren Ritualo, 26, 6-1 1/2 James Yap, 23, 6-4 Tony de la Cruz, 26, 6-2 1/2 Rich Alvarez, 24, 6-6 Kerby Raymundo, 24, 6-7 Sonny Thoss, 23, 6-6 Don Allado, 28, 6-5 Billy Mamaril, 25, 6-6 Romel Adducul, 29, and 6-5 Kelly Williams, 23.

The Philippines is guaranteed to play five games in the six-day meet. Each contest will be played in 10-minute quarters.

Reyes will lead the advance party leaving Wednesday. The players depart Thursday night.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams Alaska and Shell are lending three players each to the Las Vegas cast. Purefoods and Barangay Ginebra are contributing two apiece and FedEx is represented by Ritualo. Williams, a Fil-Am whose mother Andrea Mata is from Cebu, was recruited by Reyes from Oakland University, an NCAA Division I school in Rochester, Michigan.

All the players are in their 20s with Adducul the oldest and Thoss the youngest.

Players from Talk ‘N’ Text and San Miguel Beer were excluded in the lineup because of the ongoing PBA Fiesta Conference Finals.

Reyes said he was assured by San Miguel Corp. vice-chairman and president Ramon Ang in a meeting the other day of full support in the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"It’s all systems go," said Reyes. "Mr. Ang believes in the long-range vision of preparing for the 2007 Asian qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympics. We’re still hoping to be able to play in the Asian Championships in Doha this September but if not, we’ll look for other tournaments. We now have a program in place for the national team. With our pool, we have players thinking one way, playing one system, so at any time, we can put together a team for whatever international tournament. We will always be a team, not a collection of all-stars hastily assembled weeks or days before a competition. From now on, our country will always be well-represented in any foreign tournament we play."

Reyes said the depth of the national pool allowed him to recruit replacements to take over from Eric Menk, Rafi Reavis, Ali Peek and Mark Caguioa who begged off from playing in Las Vegas.

"When Eric backed out, we were able to bring in Don," said Reyes. "Rafi is gathering documents to establish his Filipino citizenship and won’t be able to join us in Las Vegas. Ali had foot surgery last week so that opened a slot for Billy. Mark begged off, too, and Rich came in."

The pool is practicing three hours a day at the Moro Lorenzo Gym. Aside from the Las Vegas-bound players, attending the workouts are Philippine Basketball League (PBL) standouts Mark Cardona, J. R. Reyes, Jondan Salvador, Neil Raneses, Cesar Catli, B. J. Manalo, Denok Miranda and Jeff Bombeo.

Reyes said other pool players like L. A. Tenorio, Arwind Santos and Gabby Espinas are excused from practice because of commitments to their varsity teams.

The initial pool listed over 40 candidates. Now, the pool is down to about 20 PBA and 10 to 12 PBL players.

"The guys come to practice every day," said Reyes. "They’re excited. When the suspension order came from FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball), we talked things over. We all agreed to continue practicing. Our position is to stay ready for whatever eventuality. This is the team that will represent our country in international competitions. The players know they’ll all play a big role in the renaissance of Philippine basketball in Asia."

Reyes said the program goes beyond the Olympics. "This is a model for all future national teams," he continued. "Pangmatagalan na ito. We’ve got the best basketball minds behind this program. It’s not just me. It’s also Tim (Cone), Jong (Uichico) and Norman (Black). And we’re fortunate that San Miguel Corp., with Mr. (Eduardo) Cojuangco as chairman and Mr. Ang, is backing us up all the way."

The teams competing in Las Vegas include the national squads of China, Nigeria, Qatar, South Korea, Senegal and the Philippines. Other entries are Passing Lane Sports, BCI Edge, SFX, the National Basketball Development League All-Stars, Duffy Sports and a team composed of National Basketball Association rookies and free agents.

Reyes said the practice of foreign national teams touring the US to play college squads has been outlawed.

"We did it in 1998 when our Centennial team played several varsities in various cities all over the US," noted Reyes. "But that’s not done anymore. Now, US college teams are encouraged to go on overseas playing tours."

The Global Hoops Summit was conceptualized to accommodate foreign teams that want to gain experience playing in the US.

Joining Reyes in the coaching staff for the Las Vegas tournament are Cone and Binky Favis. Black is staying behind to call the shots for Ateneo in the UAAP and Uichico is coaching San Miguel in the PBA Fiesta Conference Finals.