Douthit to join SMB in Champs Cup?

Newly crowned ABL titlist San Miguel Beer has been invited by SBP executive director Sonny Barrios to represent the country in the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Amman, Jordan, on Sept. 13-21 and with Fil-Am Chris Banchero’s status questionable, there are plans to beef up the team with a competitive lineup.

The Champions Cup was launched in 1981 and since the 1995 edition, it has been held every year. If the Philippines wins in Jordan, it will zoom to first place in terms of most championships won with five, breaking away from a current logjam with Iran and Lebanon. The Philippines claimed the crown with Northern Cement in 1984, Swift in 1988, Andok’s in 1995 and Hapee Toothpaste in 1996.

Last year, the tournament was held in Beirut but the gold-medal game between Mahram of Iran and hometown club Al Riyadi was never played because of civil unrest related to the conflict in neighboring Syria. That would have broken the three-way tie for first place in terms of most championships. The reprieve gives the Philippines a chance to take the driver’s seat this year.

* * * *

San Miguel Corp. director of sports Noli Eala said the team’s participation has been approved in principle by San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang. Eala said he still needs to justify sending the team to Jordan by proving its competitiveness. “If we go, we want to contend for the championship,” said Eala. “I will submit a budget and lineup for Boss RSA’s approval. We are handicapped because coach Leo (Austria) will not be available because of his commitment with Adamson in the UAAP. Under FIBA rules, Chris may not be eligible because his dual citizenship was confirmed after he turned 16.”

Eala said he has asked naturalized player Marcus Douthit to play for the Beermen. The Champions Cup will be held after the FIBA-Asia Championships here on Aug. 1-11. “If we enlist Marcus, our frontline will be very competitive with Asi (Taulava) and two imports. Right now, we’re thinking of signing up Michael Dunigan and possibly, D. J. Kennedy as our imports. We initially thought of Dunigan and Robert Dozier but if Chris isn’t able to play, we’ll need a shooting guard like Kennedy. Another option is Renaldo Balkman.”

Eala said Kennedy, a Cleveland Cavaliers veteran from St. John’s University, will try his luck in the NBA summer league and work his way to the NBA veterans camp. “D. J. was one of our choices for Petron in the PBA but he won’t be available in August,” said Eala. “We’re also exploring the possibility of inviting Greg Slaughter and some of our Gilas cadet players. We hope to build a lineup that can match up against Iran and Lebanon.”

SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza has confirmed the invitation for San Miguel Beer to play in the Champions Cup. Eala said he was told by Gilas team manager Butch Antonio that the national team has no plans of playing in the tournament as coach Chot Reyes said San Miguel Beer earned the right to represent the country by virtue of its victory in the ABL.

“The Champions Cup is scheduled in the middle of the PBA Governors Cup so PBA players won’t be available,” said Eala. “We’re hoping we can get players from the Gilas cadet pool and D-League players like Greg who are applying for the draft in November. We still don’t know who will coach the team. That’s something still to be discussed. Maybe, if Todd Purves joins the Petron coaching staff, he may be tapped for the Champions Cup.”

As for Taulava’s future plans, Eala said the All-Star center is in no hurry to make a move. “We’re talking with Meralco,” said Eala. “When Asi went to Meralco, all they gave up were Jason Misolas and Khazim Mirza although the deal was part of a six-player, three-team trade. Of course, we all want Asi to end his playing career in the PBA, hopefully with Ginebra San Miguel. But Asi’s happy where he is. If we can’t work a deal, he’ll stay in the ABL where the schedule is lighter and there’s a lot of recovery time in between games.”