SBP Yearender (2 of 2 parts)
MANILA, Philippines — In today’s Part 2, here are the six other SBP milestone stories for 2017 in review:
• Standhardinger’s emergence. 2017 marked the rousing debut of 6-8 Fil-German Christian Standhardinger with Gilas. Listed as a naturalized import because he was issued his Philippine passport after turning 16, Standhardinger saw action for the Philippines at the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon, Jones Cup in Taipei and the SEA Games in K. L.
In 17 total games, Standhardinger scored in double figures in 13 and averaged 13.1 points with a high of 22. Last October, he was picked first overall in the PBA draft and will play for San Miguel Beer after his contract with Hong Kong in the ABL expires in April.
• Busy in international competitions. Gilas saw action at the SEABA Cup in Manila, Jones Cup in Taipei, SEA Games in K. L., FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon, FIBA Asia Challenge Cup in Chengzhou and in the first home-and-away qualifying window for the 2019 FIBA World Cup last year.
In all, head coach Chot Reyes rotated 38 players, including imports Mike Myers (Jones Cup) and Zeke Austin (FIBA Asia Challenge Cup). Kiefer Ravena, R. R. Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz and Matthew Wright were in lineups for four of the six tournaments. Players who saw action in three outings were Kevin Ferrer, Jio Jalalon, Troy Rosario, Standhardinger, Jayson Castro, Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, Almond Vosotros and Toto Jose.
• Filipinos in FIBA commissions. The Philippines is represented in key bodies in FIBA. SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan sits in the 27-strong FIBA Central Board as one of five Asians, including NBA legend Yao Ming of China. Edgar (Aga) Francisco is in the Legal Commission, Jimmy Alapag in the Players Commission and Dr. Jose Raul (George) Canlas in the Medical Commission.
• Panlilio’s recovery. SBP president Al Panlilio endured two major surgeries over three months last year and is now back to normal. The Meralco senior vice president was a speaker during the Philippine-led consortium’s presentation in the bid for the hosting rights of the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Mies last month.
Panlilio sat on the Meralco bench in the PBA Governors Cup Finals last October and his remarkable recovery is an inspiring testament of his faith in God. He is well-loved and highly respected in the basketball community.
• MOA with PBA to be revisited. With the Gilas cadets now veterans in the PBA, there is a need to revisit the MOA between the SBP and PBA. It will be a priority in the agenda for this year as Gilas prepares the national team for the second and third home-and-away qualifying windows for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
• Romeo’s rise to global prominence. FIBA is captivated by the exploits of the latest darling of Philippine hoops Terrence Romeo. His video highlights are captured in a 1:36 clip in the FIBA website, now viewed by more than 263,000. That was when Romeo erupted for 26 points, including 5-of-7 threes, in Gilas’ 96-87 stunner over China at the FIBA Asia Cup last August. He fired 22, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc, against South Korea in the same tournament. Romeo skipped the first home-and-away qualifying window last November to rest a sore knee and may be ready for the second window in February.
The hope is 2018 will be an even more solid year for the SBP.