The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) formally announced on Thursday that they will be sending the core of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to represent the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
The league made it known moments after the board of governors convened at the league’s office in Libis, Quezon City.
“We would like to thank Rain or Shine for stepping up,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.
Rain or Shine will be stepping up in lieu of original choice TNT KaTropa, whose core of Troy Rosario, Terrence Romeo, Roger Pogoy, and Jayson Castro are currently serving FIBA bans following their participation in the Gilas-Australia brawl.
This, even if the players’ suspensions do not in any way affect the Asiad.
To banner the Elasto Painters in the meet – set from August 18 to September 2 – will be former and current members of the national team program such as Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu, and James Yap.
Young guns Ed Daquioag – he himself a Gilas Cadet – and Maverick Ahanmisi are also set to join the trip.
Rain or Shine’s former head coach Yeng Guiao will have an encore with his former students, as he will be calling the shots. According to previous reports, Rain or Shine team owners wanted Guiao, as he has experience in the international arena.
“Very happy to know that coach Yeng has accepted it,” said Panlilio.
Guiao previously coached the Powerade Team Pilipinas and led them to an eighth-place finish in the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship in Tianjin, China.
Guiao’s staff will be the current set of Rain or Shine’s coaches, with incumbent head think-tank Caloy Garcia to serve as his lead assistant. Garcia had already expressed willingness to take a step back, as he wants Guiao in, too.
“Siya na lang, para magkabalikan kami,” Garcia was quoted saying last July 21.
The veteran coach has also submitted a wishlist to the SBP and to the Philippine Olympic Committee, and he’s looking to bring in former Elasto Painters such as Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, and JR Quiñahan, as they are all familiar with Guiao’s system.
Quiñahan might be a shoo-in, as he currently plays for Guiao in the NLEX Road Warriors, but Lee and Chan’s status are still unknown, as they still have to be given the go-signal by the Magnolia Hotshots and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, respectively.
As per Panlilio, added to consideration are Gilas Cadets in Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras, and Abu Tratter. Batang Gilas’ Dalph Panopio and AJ Edu are also part of the pool.
Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson’s participation is still under negotiation.
Guiao and the Philippine contingent’s preparations for the Asiad is set to start next week, and the lineup will be determined on August 3.
