Guiao names final 12

Guiao names final 12

* Reyes, De Ocampo out
* Yap flies home for ailing in-law
* Sunday mass for tita Cory
* Barrios, Baylon arrive


Games Saturday
1 p.m. – Japan vs. Jordan
3 p.m. – Taiwan B vs. RP
5 p.m. – Lebanon vs. Korea
7 p.m. – Iran vs. Taiwan


Games Sunday
11 a.m. – Taiwan-B vs. Japan
1 p.m. – Iran vs. RP
3 p.m. – Taiwan vs. Korea
5 p.m. – Jordan vs. Kazakhstan
Closing Ceremony



TAIPEI – The shroud is off for Powerade-Team Pilipinas after coach Yeng Guiao bared Friday morning the official lineup to the 25th FIBA Asia Men’s Championship set Aug. 6-16 in Tianjin, China.

Over breakfast before the team went to practice, Guiao named to the squad Jayjay Helterbrand, Willie Miller, Gabe Norwood, Arwind Santos, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, Japeth Aguilar, Kerby Raymundo, Sonny Thoss, James Yap, Asi Taulava, and Mick Pennisi.

A shoo-in, point guard Ryan Reyes, who has yet to recover fully from an injury suffered in the 8th SEABA Championship in Medan two months ago, reportedly asked to be excluded from the roster Thursday due to continuing pain in his left hamstring muscle.

Forward Ranidel de Ocampo, clearly undersized against opponents playing his position, was also placed in reserve.

Injuries, though not welcomed, Guiao said, could shake up the lineup.

“We’re not discounting that possibility,” he said. “I understand we can still change any injured player three days before the tournament begins.”

Guiao has been consulting with his coaching staff, including former national mentor Jong Uichico, who has since left, for the past few days and the group reached a “consensus” Thursday night.

“It wasn’t really difficult,” Guiao said.

PBA commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios, who arrived with RP team manager JB Baylon Thursday in time for the game with South Korea in the 31st William Jones Cup tournament, said it was imperative a final 12 be submitted to the FIBA Asia organizers.

“We had to beat the deadline,” Barrios said.

With Helterbrand playing intermittently because of recurring tightness in his hamstring, the point guard spot remains a vulnerable area for the RP team, forcing Guiao to leave the door ajar for Reyes’ return.

“I would’ve preferred to have Ryan in the team but he admitted he won’t be a hundred percent in Tianjin,” said Guiao, adding, however, “pero pag naramdaman niyang okey na siya, then we’ll find a way for him.”

Guiao didn’t say whose place Reyes will step into in the eventuality.

Miller, and at times Norwood, have been covering for Helterbrand and Reyes – in Medan and here – but are both clearly less comfortable setting up than dishing off.

Baylon, who was with Guiao and Barrios during the announcement, said he is looking forward to the action in Tianjin, adding, “I think even the players are itching for the real thing.”

Meanwhile, Yap left for Manila early Friday to be with his wife Kris, whose mother, former president Corazon C. Aquino, is gravely ill.

The Purefoods hotshot, who suffered a whiplash after getting hit in the forehead during the Kazakhstan game last Monday, has been in constant communication with his wife ever since Mrs. Aquino’s condition took a turn for the worse as the national team left Manila Saturday..

Baylon drove him to the airport.

PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said a healing mass for the former president will be offered by the RP team Sunday before the closing game with Iran.

Guiao is Mrs. Aquino’s wedding godson.