Ex-PBA greats banner FCVBA quest in Asean

MANILA, Philippines - Lim Eng Beng and Freddie Hubalde, two of the 25 PBA Greats, will spearhead the title bid of the Fil-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association in the 60-years-and-above division of the 20th ASEAN Seniors Basketball Championship, which starts next week in Singapore.

Joining Lim and Hubalde in the team that is out to reclaim its crown in the annual event are Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que, Jimi Lim of Ironcon Builders, Johnny Chua, Peter Ley, Jimmy Ley, Zotico Tan, Antonio Go, Chingka Lee and Achit Kaw. FCVBA’s two-year reign ended last year after losing to host Malaysia in a rugged semifinals encounter in Seremban.

Mentored by former San Sebastian star Jake de Guia, the team eventually finished third.

Former San Miguel Beer players Elmer Reyes and Kenneth Yap and the sweet-shooting Edward Tio, meantime, will backstop FCVBA’s title-retention bid in the 50-years-and-above division.

Aside from Tio, Reyes and Yap, coach Joel Yap of Freego also tapped the services of former Crispa back-up center Noli Banate, ex-Letran guard Jerry Gonzales, Rudy Yu, Julio Cruz, Gabi Velasco, Conrad Siy and Morris Lee as they seek their third straight title in the centrepiece event. FCVBA is not fielding a team in the 40-years-and-above this time.