Confident RP team off to Tianjin

Despite injury to one of its key players — not to mention the limited time to prepare the team — national coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao said that the Powerade-Team Pilipinas is ready for the “real thing” which is the FIBA-Asia Championship in Tianjin, China.

The PBA-backed RP team flies to Beijing today and then will take a 35-minute train ride to reach Tianjin. Should they decide to take a bus, the journey will be two hours.

The FIBA-Asia event kicks off Thursday with the Philippines taking on Sri Lanka in the opener at 9 a.m. at the Tianjin gym. The tournament runs up to Aug. 16.

On Friday, the Nationals clash with Japan at 9 p.m. also at the same venue and end their preliminary assignments against South Korea the next day at the time and venue.

“These guys are ready to go, they know the urgency,” Guiao said yesterday after conducting his final practice session at the Moro Lorenzo gym inside the Ateneo campus in Quezon City.

“For me that was the best time to see that they are ready. The players pushed themselves to practice with me not yelling or being angry at them. Basta sa sarili nila nag-ensayo sila,” Guiao added.

Though they dropped their games against Japan and South Korea in the Jones Cup in Taiwan just recently, Guiao is confident they can beat them in China.

Guiao, however, expressed huge concern on how to beat Middle East powers like Iran, Lebanon and Jordan.

Aside from their height and heft, these teams have chemistry having played together for a longer time.

Guiao, however, have made major adjustments in their offensive patterns since arriving from the Jones Cup.

According to him, they modified several of their offensive patterns, while on the defensive end, he told the players to be more prepared on the highly physical plays in the FIBA-Asia.

“Through this one week, we made necessary adjustments. The patterns we made and the mentality on the physical contacts of the game. They’ve adjusted to it, and it’s satisfactory given the limited time,” he said.

“I think we’ll do well in China,” he added.

Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes failed to make the final roster due to a blood disorder problem and a hamstring injury, respectively.

Jayjay Helterbrand will have to endure a hamstring strain while Mick Pennisi will play with a mild case of bronchitis.

Completing the roster are Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Gabe Norwood, Jarred Dillinger, Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio, Sonny Thoss and Yap.

Yap, whose mother-in-law, former President Cory Aquino passed away last Saturday, will join the team on Thursday.

The top three teams after the single round robin advance to the next round against the top three of Group B teams made up of Chinese Taipei, Kuwait, Uzbekistan and defending champion Iran. The results of the opening round will be carried over.

Host China leads Group C with Kazakhstan, Qatar and India while Lebanon, Jordan, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates make up Group D. Both groups will also be combined for the next phase.

The top four teams in each group of the second stage advance to the crossover quarterfinal round.

FIBA ASIA Schedule (1st Round)
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