RP Team Final 12: A tough call for Guiao

RP Team coach Yeng Guiao is having a hard time deciding who will make up the final list of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas, who will be competing FIBA-Asia World Championship qualifier in Tianjin, China in August.

Guiao will have to decide before the July 22 deadline of FIBA Asia which of the 14 RP squad members will make the cut.

“That will be the most difficult decision probably coming in the next three weeks,” said Guiao in a report by PBA.ph.

“All of these guys have invested so much in the team, and all of them have been performing well without any exception since the SEABA,” he added.

The RP Team coach said injuries and illness will play a big part in determining the members of the Final 12.

“We will still rely on our first criteria – the least healthy guys are going to be the prime candidates for the cutoff,” he said.

With Kelly Williams still recuperating from a blood disorder, the arrival of Japeth Aguilar from the US has brought back to 14 the number of candidates.

It is widely believed that the 6’9” son of former Northern Consolidated center Peter Aguilar will make it into the final line up.

Some others are also highly considered. “I would hate to cut somebody like Ryan Reyes,” Guiao said. “I’m very hopeful that he can be healthy at least for Tianjin.”

Reyes joined Jayjay Helterbrand and Sonny Thoss on the injury list after pulling a hamstring against Malaysia in the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan, Indonesia last April.

Helterbrand and Thoss have since recovered from injuries, leaving Reyes’ condition in doubt.