ABA to hold extensive search for Pinoy talents

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - ABA Global vice chairman Paul Monozca said he would consult with all the key stakeholders in Philippine basketball in search of Filipino players who will be given the opportunity to play in the ABA.

Monozca said he’ll talk with SBP executive director Noli Eala, PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad and collegiate league officials, seeking their help in drawing the structure for the search.

Monozca said there will definitely be a tryout to be conducted at home sometime in the first quarter of 2010 to determine the players they will be sending for another tryout in the US.

ABA officials here said two Japanese have made the grade for the US tourney. They make their US debut in the coming ABA season.

“The fact that two Japanese have passed the test made me more excited on the prospect of a Filipino player making the ABA,” said Monozca.

ABA chief executive officer Joe Newman will discuss the complete details of their global expansion during the ABA Summit set at the Las Vegas Country Club here Tuesday.

Monozca has said that part of the ABA global expansion is the staging of American, European and China games, culminating with the holding of the World Basketball Cup in Atlanta in 2011.

Tasked to handle the ABA global program, Monozca said he’s able to get concessions, including a wildcard berth for the Philippines in the World Cup. Smart Gilas is likely to compete in that event.

Another concession is the ABA regular tourney opening its door on some Filipino players.

Monozca believes Filipino point guards have good chance of making it.

“The question is what do we have in the Philippines. What’s our best asset in basketball? I think the answer is our point guards,” said Monozca.

“We have had the Al Vergara and Jason Castro success stories with the Singapore Slingers. We’ll use the same formula here,” Monozca added.

The Filipino ABA official, who’s based in Singapore for over 20 years, admits he’s not that familiar with the Filipino players that’s why he’ll consult with Filipino cage officials.

“We’ll work with everyone because this is a serious process,” said Monozca.