Issa, Jacob stay on with RP 5; Brick uncertain

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – Amir Issa and Melissa Jacob have made a commitment to make another try, but not Vicky Brick.

Issa and Jacob, Fil-Am players added to the RP women’s cage team here in the last minute, said they’re willing to return to the Philippines and continue to be part of the program geared at gaining regional supremacy.

Brick, a crack Fil-Am guard, said she can’t make a commitment until after she has discussed things with her parents and boyfriend in the United States.

“The doors are not yet closed but I’m spending Christmas in the US then discuss everything with my parents and boyfriend,” said Brick.

But notwithstanding the presence of three Fil-Am recruits, the RP women’s team went short of its bid here, settling for the bronze medal with losses to Thailand and Malaysia.

SBP executive director Patrick Gregorio said Thailand and Malaysia have improved tremendously since the SEABA women’s championship in Phuket a few months back.

Gregorio also thought Issa and Jacob weren’t able to jell immediately with the team. The SBP executive director, however, didn’t regret fielding the two Fil-Ams here.

“We must have a vision. We’re looking at the future, so it’s better to put them in our program this early,” said Gregorio.

Gregorio said he’s satisfied with the bronze although he thought they would get the silver.

“From the start, I’m saying I would be satisfied with the bronze, happy with the silver and very happy with the gold,” he said.

Gregorio is looking at a commercial league for his program to improve RP women’s basketball. – Nelson Beltran