Barrios, ex-RP coaches assess 14-man pool

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios meets the RP team advisory council today to evaluate the composition of the proposed 14-man training pool drafted by national coach Yeng Guiao.

Past national team coaches Sonny Jaworski, Norman Black, Tim Cone and Jong Uichico are expected in the meeting set at 6 p.m. at the Edsa ShangriLa Hotel. Coach Chot Reyes has begged off to honor a previous commitment.

Guiao will not also be around as he’s leaving for the United States to attend to a personal matter. He left his wish list to the league commissioner yesterday.

The STAR has gathered that the players making the pool are Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kerby Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Arwind Santos, James Yap, Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio, Ryan Reyes, Jayjay Helterbrand, Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger.

All 14 hopefuls, however, are expected to get the nod of the group who had an earlier meeting and initial discussion on players who deserve to make it to the pool.

“All these names have been given in the initial meeting. Only Gabe Norwood got a negative comment, deemed as soft and passive,” said The STAR source.

Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia himself has been urging Norwood to be more assertive in his game.

A player who’s more of a passer than a shooter, Norwood said that’s the way he was taught to play by his father. It was the same brand of play he brought to the George Mason U during his college days.

Going with Norwood is the experience he’s had with the national team that competed in the Fiba-Asia championship in Tokushima, Japan last year.

Guiao is putting up the team that will play in next year’s Asian championship, which also serves as the qualifier for the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.