Ryan Reyes may still play in FIBA-Asia meet

It’s all up to Ryan Reyes.

Powerade-Team Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao said it would be Reyes’ call and not his whether or not to reinsert the injured guard into the RP team roster that will fly to Tianjin, China next week for the 25th FIBA-Asia men’s basketball championship.

Rules allow teams to alter the lineups they submitted last Friday until three days before the tournament comes off the wraps on Aug. 6.

“If Ryan tells me he’s O.K. to play, then I’ll find a way for him," said Guiao, who earlier named Reyes and Talk ‘N Text forward Ranidel de Ocampo as alternates.

The 25-year-old Reyes, who played for California State-Fullerton and was drafted third overall by the Sta. Lucia Realtors, pulled a hamstring muscle in his left thigh during the 8th SEABA Men’s Championship in Medan last June and has been listed as day-to-day since.

“If I don’t feel I’m 90 percent healthy, then I’d rather not play because I don’t want to bring the team down," said Reyes, who has an appointment with noted sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raul Canlas after the RP team returns home Monday.

A sharp pain that shot up his thigh while doing lateral exercises a couple of days ago, Reyes said, prompted him to inform Guiao of his condition.

Guiao, who has repeatedly said he wanted Reyes on his team, accepted Reyes’ decision to be stricken off the 12-man team but left the door ajar for any eventuality.

“All Ryan has to do is say it," said Guiao, who refused to discuss whose spot Reyes would take over if he turns up fine within the next seven days.

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Yeng Guiao disclosed the final line-up of the Powerade-RP Team to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

The team will be composed of Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi. (thanks sir Rick!)

FIBA ASIA Schedule
Aug 6 (RP vs. Sri Lanka 9AM), Aug 7 (RP vs. Japan 9PM) , Aug 8 (RP vs. Korea 9PM)

FIBA ASIA TV Broadcast & Free Live Streaming (August 6-16, 2009)
Solar / Basketball TV Channel, CCTV5, Aljazeera, TeamPilipinas.info - RNHalawi.com

NOTES: “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” the ‘70s pop hit by Tony Orlando and The Dawn and the unofficial anthem for former Sen. Benigno Aquino on his ill-fated arrival from Taiwan in 1983, was played during the pre-game introductions for the RP-Taiwan match Saturday…Organizers apparently found out the reason for the strips of yellow adhesives taped on the Philippine team’s uniforms and dug out the song from their music archives…Jordan’s Portuguese coach Mario Palma, whose decision to walk out of their game with Iran might have cost his team a third straight championship here, remains furious over the incident, branding it “a shame” and calling the two Taiwanese referees in that game “cowards.”...Grief befell the RP team before the Iran game when news reached the players that Wynne Arboleda's father had passed away. - PBA.ph

"We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Wynne Arboleda.."