Westports Malaysia Dragons’ Heritage Import Joshua Munzon will be joining the IECO Green Warriors to represent the Philippines in the Asia League’s Terrific 12 tournament in Macau, China from September 18 to 23.
The 6-foot-4 Munzon will be playing with the core of the recently-crowned 2018 D-League Foundation Cup champions Go for Gold Scratchers — ex-pros Gab Banal and Jai Reyes and young guns Kris Porter, Matt Salem, and Ron Dennison.
Also in the Green Warriors line-up is Marinerong Pilipino Skippers forward Kyle Toth and Fil-Am Avery Scharer. Toth and Scharer, like Munzon, has experienced playing for the Malaysian ball club some years ago.
To serve as the team’s reinforcements would be Sam Logwood and former Talk N Text import Richard Howell.
Included in head coach Ariel Vanguardia’s 12-man line-up are Blackwater Elite players Mark Cruz and James Sena. Vanguardia said that the Elite is willing to lend the two, but they are still waiting for the PBA’s approval.
“We would like to thank coach Bong Ramos for that,” Vanguardia told Tiebreaker Times, Wednesday.
Vanguardia said that they chose the two pros as replacements for Marinero’s young stars Abu Tratter and Trevis Jackson. Tratter and Jackson politely begged off from joining as they set their sights in the 2018 PBA Draft.
“We tried to get Tratter and Jackson but they had plans already,” said Vanguardia, a one-time champion coach in the ABL with Westports.
“They’re going to the US daw to prepare for the Draft.”
2018 Foundation Cup Most Valuable Player and ex-pro Jeff Viernes was initially included in the line-up, but Vanguardia shared that the gunslinging point guard begged off, too, as he is about to play in Malaysia.
IECO will be facing top Asian club teams such as Shandong Hi-speed Golden Stars, Xinjiang Flying Tigers, Zhejiang Guangsha Lions and Guangzhou Long Lions from CBA; Chiba Jets, Ryukyu Golden Kings, Nagoya Diamond Dolphins from Japan’s B.League; Samsung Thunders and Mobis Phoebus from Korea; and Fubon Braves and Yulong Luxgen Dinos from Taiwan’s SBL.
The Terrific 12 will be held at Macau’s Studio City Event Center.
