The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is hoping that coach Yeng Guiao will come up with a lineup for the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia as soon as possible, as they are obviously wrestling with time.
This, even if the veteran bench strategist said in an earlier report by Tiebreaker Times that he plans to announce the final line-up on August 3, or 13 days before the Asiad’s men’s basketball tournament raises its curtains.
“We’re rushing him to really come up with a line-up already,” said SBP president Al Panlilio Thursday afternoon, after the Philippine Basketball Association’s board of governors convened at the league’s office in Libis, Quezon City.
Panlilio said that they are calling urgency as the SBP does not want to be of any further inconvenience to the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee, given all the considerations the latter has given to the country.
The deadline for the submission of line-ups was June 30.
“We’re way past deadline for the INASGOC, and we have to submit to OCA (Olympic Council of Asia). Hinahabol namin yun, we’re burning the night in SBP and our Indonesian friends to submit the line-up,” he said.
As per Panlilio, Guiao has plenty of names to choose from. He can select from the whole Rain or Shine roster, along with three Gilas Pilipinas Cadets members, and the frontline players of his very own NLEX Road Warriors.
“It will be a core of the Rain or Shine team, there are discussions of some names to be submitted,” said the amiable executive.
“We’re thinking of three Cadets: Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras, and Abu Tratter as part of the list.
“And we’re throwing as many names as we can, including some big men from NLEX,” he added.
“I spoke to coach Yeng, he’s thinking of including Asi [Taulava] just to help out in guarding some big guys from the other teams.”
