Aspirants commit to stay amateur

SBP executive director Noli Eala said yesterday most, if not all of the players in the 25-man pool announced by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman for the national team will serve the country for three to four years before turning pro in a patriotic commitment that augurs well for the future of the sport.

Eala said at least 18 of the 25 chosen players were briefed on the benefits of staying amateur with the national team and the SBP’s expectations during six evening practices at the Arena in San Juan the last two weeks.

“We told the boys if they don’t believe in our vision, we won’t take it against them and they’re free to go,” said Eala. “But they all stayed. Rico Maierhofer, for instance, informed us by postponing his entry into the PBA, it facilitated his decision to play his fifth and last year for La Salle next season.”

Eala said the Northern Cement model of Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. was the inspiration for the SBP’s vision. Cojuangco assembled a core of young players who went full circle in winning the Asian Youth title in 1982 and the Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA-Asia) crown in 1985. Among the stars in the system were Hector Calma, Allan Caidic and Samboy Lim. After playing for the national squad, they became successful pros.

“We want to instill in the players the concept of serving the country first before creating a career,” said Eala. “We are prepared to support the players throughout their stay with the national team.”

A budget of P140 Million for the next four years is reportedly under study by the SBP for the campaign to culminate in qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.

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Eala said CESAFI and the PBL are showing the way in backing up the SBP’s long-term program.

University of Visayas center Greg Slaughter, a member of the 25-man pool, was supposed to play for the CESAFI selection in Hong Kong but was excused by Rep. Eduardo Gullas so he could suit up for the national team. SBP chairman and Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno lauded Gullas and CESAFI for their support of the national team.

PBL chairman Mikee Romero also pledged his full support for the national squad.

“We hope the support of CESAFI and the PBL could be a catalyst for all other leagues to get together behind our national team,” said Eala.

Toroman’s developmental national team left last Sunday to play in the Asean-CBO Invitationals in Pingguo, Guanxi, China, on Dec. 17-21. Eight teams will compete in the tournament – an all-star team from host Pingguo, the Philippines and the national squads of Malaysia, Macau, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam.

“It will be coach Toroman’s first international tournament with our team,” said Eala. “This will give us a chance to evaluate our players as most of them have never played or even gone abroad. It will allow us to bond and learn coach Toroman’s system by experience.”

Toroman will be assisted in China by Jude Roque and physical therapist Albert Rolle in place of Dan Rose who is in the US for two weeks. Those who helped out in the practices were coaches Chot Reyes, Norman Black, Jorge Gallent, Glenn Capacio, Allan Gregorio and Eric Altamirano.

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Eala said PBL teams Harbour Centre, Burger King and Magnolia lent players for the China trip. They were J. R. Cawaling and Mark Barroca of Harbour, Ogie Menor, Mac Baracael and Marcy Arellano of Burger and Dylan Ababou of Magnolia. Also picked were UP’s Martin Reyes and Magi Sison, Slaughter and Fil-Am recruits Terrell Theophile and Joey Deas.

Eala, who leaves for China today to join the team, said he will try to bring along the NCAA’s slam dunk king Rey Guevara of Letran to complete the lineup.

“Jayvee Casio was in our final roster but Toyota Otis begged off at the last minute,” said Eala. “We excused Rabeh Al Hussaini who’ll be with his Ateneo teammates in Hong Kong on Dec. 19-21. Bacchus’ Paul Lee is finishing up at UE. Philip Paredes is catching up with his studies at Riddleys. Jervy Cruz, Arvie Bringas and Chris Tiu have other commitments.”

Eala said the China tournament is a good starting point for Toroman’s exposure program. “We got whoever was available under the circumstances,” he went on. “We didn’t want to overburden PBL teams that were willing to lend players so we were quite selective.”

Tiu, a popular TV host, will join the team in January after finishing his personal commitments this year.