RP chases world cage dream

Powerade Team Pilipinas, one with the nation in grief over the passing of former President Cory Aquino, leaves the country today (7AM) determined to pursue its goal in the 2009 Fiba Asia championship firing off Thursday in Tianjin, China.

The Nationals go to battle in the Asian joust in chase of a ticket to the world championship in Turkey next year with mainstay James Yap staying behind to attend the funeral of her mother-in-law.

Yap has told The STAR he was asked by the late Cory, through his wife Kris, not to abandon the RP team.

“I had thought of backing out of the team with Kerby (Raymundo) when we’re having a hard time attending double practices (with Purefoods and the RP team). It was Mom Cory, through Kris, who told me not to do it. She said I have to serve the country,” said Yap.

The Purefoods top gun will attend the former President’s funeral tomorrow then follow the Nationals in Tianjin the following day.

The Nationals fly to Beijing via a PAL flight departing Manila at 7 a.m. today. From Beijing, they take about two hours of road trip to Tianjin -- the six largest city in China in terms of urban population.

“I wish Powerade Team Pilipinas a safe and pleasant trip. I join the whole nation in wishing them well and in praying for their success in the games as well as for their remaining healthy, free from injury, during the tournament,” said PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

Powerade-RP, probably the last all-PBA selection to represent the country to an international competition, opens its campaign in the Asian world qualifier versus Sri Lanka at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The team faces a tough task of having to land in the Top Three though formed only last November and trained under limited parameters as set by the PBA board.

RP coach Yeng Guiao said they have a realistic chance of making the quarterfinals but would need all the luck and all the breaks if they’re to move in further contention.

“We have a pretty good chance of beating all the teams in our bracket, except probably for Iran. But it would be rough sailing in the next phase whoever we play there,” said Guiao.

If they make the quarters, the Nationals are likely to be up against anyone among China, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and Kazakhstan.

To make it there, the RP team needs to finish in the Top Four in a bracket with Iran, Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Chinese-Taipei, Uzbekistan and Kuwait.

After its debut against Sri Lanka Thursday, the Nationals take on Japan Friday then Korea Saturday.

Guiao, his staff and the players spent their last two days in Manila polishing their plays and scrutinizing scouting reports on the Japanese and the Korean teams.

Guiao thinks his team has more than 50 percent chance of winning against Japan and 50-50 against Korea. They lost to both teams in the recent Jones Cup competition in Taipei.

Aside from having limited preparation, also going against the Nationals are health problems to key players.

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.

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