Rain or Shine owners upbeat of Philippines Asiad chances

MANILA, Philippines — Rain or Shine co-team owner Raymond Yu believes the Philippine basketball team has got what it takes to make surprises despite landing in the so-called Group of Death in the Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games which starts next week.

The Phl team is now bracketed with powerhouse China and Kazakhstan in Group D following its late re-entry in the quadrennial games. The fourth team – Palestine – had earlier withdrew its participation.

“Let’s admit it’s really a tough group but we should not be cowed,” said Yu who watched the team’s practice Wednesday along with co-team owner Terry Que and Asian Coatings Philippines chairman Yu An Kun. “We also have good materials like them and we have an excellent motivational coach in Yeng Guiao.”

“Knowing these players, they will do everything for the country. Great odds can bring the best out of these players,” said Que.

The Nationals, six of them from ROS, will take on the Kazakhs on Aug. 16 before slugging it out with the Chinese on Aug. 21.

The ROS-led Phl team needs to win one of two matches in the prelims to advance to the quarterfinal stage, which is a knockout affair.

When asked why ROS continued to support the country’s participation in the quadrennial sports spectacle despite the earlier withdrawal, Yu had a simple answer.

“For flag and country, we are willing to sacrifice our team and support the Phl team,” said Yu, whose father Yu An Kun was a former member of the Phl football training team. “Our company is mightily proud to be of help to the national cause.”