Ex-PBA import enjoys Olympic moment

LONDON – Former Meralco import Champ Oguchi isn’t playing extensive minutes with the Nigerian team in the Olympic basketball competition here but he’s enjoying the experience just the same as a first-timer in the Summer Games.

Oguchi, 26, is averaging only a point in 15 minutes after two outings and hasn’t scored a field goal. Nigeria is 1-1 so far after beating Tunisia, 60-56 last Sunday and losing a 72-53 blowout to Lithuania last Tuesday. But while Oguchi is boldly predicting Nigeria will win the gold medal, the worst is yet to come. Nigeria battled the US yesterday and faces Argentina on Saturday and France on Monday to complete its elimination schedule.

After the setback to Lithuania, Oguchi didn’t seem perturbed. “We just have to do a better job of executing our offense,” he said. “The gap was only seven at the half then they pulled away. Holding up our hands is something we should start doing on defense.” Nigeria relied heavily on its US-trained players but against Lithuania’s sharp ball movement, it was no-contest. Nigeria only had three assists to Lithuania’s 19.

Asked to predict which team will win the title, Oguchi hesitated a bit then said, “Nigeria, of course” rather tongue-in-cheek. Oguchi said he has friends from different teams in the 12-nation tournament but none from the US even if he was born in Houston and played NCAA Division I with Oregon and Illinois State.

Oguchi said he’ll never forget the two conferences he played with the Bolts. “Of all the leagues I’ve played in, the PBA has to be one of the best if not the best,” he said. “It’s a great league to build confidence in yourself. Any time I get a chance to play in the PBA again, I’ll definitely go if I’m invited. Coach Ryan (Gregorio) is a special guy and I’ll never forget Sol Mercado and Chris Ross, my Meralco buddies. The Filipino fans are great and very supportive.”

Oguchi hasn’t scored a single triple in the Olympics yet but he’s just waiting for the chance to make the OK sign with his thumb and forefinger. “I’ve played about five years with the Nigerian national team, including the World Championships in Japan in 2006,” he said. “I was still playing in the PBA when I got a call inviting me to join the national team trying to qualify for the Olympics. I’ve been all over the world playing basketball, in Brazil, Venezuela, France, Lebanon and Iraq. I’m always ready to play.”

Although he hasn’t delivered big numbers for Nigeria here, Oguchi is often interviewed by reporters. He’s very accommodating and friendly. Oguchi has learned to be a basketball ambassador of goodwill. 

Nigeria’s Olympic delegation consists of 55 athletes in eight sports – basketball, table tennis, athletics, weightlifting, canoe slalom, boxing, wrestling and taekwondo. There are no swimmers in the group. Most of the Nigerian basketball players attended US schools like Oguchi, Ekenechukwu Ibekwe of Maryland, Tony Skimm of George Mason, Derrick Obasohan of Texas at Arlington, Richard Oruche of Illinois at Springfield, Koko Archibong of Pennsylvania, Al Farouq Aminu of Wake Forest and Alade Aminu of Georgia Tech. Players with NBA credentials are 6-10 Ike Diogu, 6-11 Olumide Oyedeji and 6-9 Al Farouq Aminu. The lineup was assembled by coach Bakare Ayodele from Nigerians playing in Germany, Belgium, Ukraine, China, Puerto Rico, Iran, France and the Philippines. Diogu, a first round pick in the 2005 NBA draft, has suited up for Golden State, Indiana, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio. Another first round draft choice was Al Farouq Aminu who now plays for the New Orleans Hornets.    

Two former Nigerian national players Jeff Varem and Julius Nwosu are PBA veterans like Oguchi.