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Aussies
vs. Phil. nat'l team
The
Team from Down Under is expected to bring to the surface the deep-training Philippines
national squad.
A
6-foot-10 center and two 6-foot-9 forwards banner an Australian selection flying
in on April 2 for a pair of goodwill games against the FIBA Asia-bound national
team at the Araneta Coliseum.
The
Hoopdreamz Great White Sharks will have first crack and Yeng Guiao's Powerade-Team
Pilipinas on April 3, followed by a second encounter on April 5.
Guiao,
the RP mentor, had rued the lack of tune-up games for the nationals as they head
for Medan, Indonesia in June to compete in the outheast Asian Basketball Association
tournament, the qualifier for August's Asian Championship in China.
The
circling Sharks, fierce and physical, should give the nationals a measure of what
they need.
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| | "Based
on their lineup and what we've heard from our sources, this is a good Australian
team and we're excited to test ourselves against tough competition," said
Guiao.
"This
is a good opportunity for us and we plan to use the series as a tool and mechanism
to evaluate ourselves. We hope to see the progress of the team so we can try to
remedy our weaknesses."
PBA
commissioner Sonny Barrios lauded the coming goodwill series.
"We're
enthusiastically looking forward to this," said Barrious. |
"Finally,
the team of Coach Yeng will get to play tune-up games with a big team like the
Australian selection.
"We're
also happy for our million of PBA and basketball fans since they will be able
to watch the games live either at the Araneta Coliseum or on TV via C/S-9."
Facing
the Australians are team captain Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, James
Yap, Gabe Norwood, Jayjay Helterbrand, Arwind Santos, Cyrus Baguio, Kelly Williams,
Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger.
Assisting
Guiao on the bench are assistant coaches Roehl Nadurata, Gee Abanilla and Kenneth
Duremdes.
The
Australian selection will be led by NBL superstars, including 6-9 former MVP Bruce
Bolden, swingman 6-7 Graeme Dann, 6-10 Anthony Susnjara and 6-4 Eban Hyams. The
final two additions include Townsville Crocodiles duo 6-7 Brad Williamson and
6-3 Michael Cedar.
The
Aussies possess a tall, deep and athletic bench featuring 6-5 Tony Lalic and 6-9
Goran Veg. and ABA stars 6-7 Terry Amir, 6-7 Leslie Coe and 5-11 Sami Tsegay.
The youngest member of the team is rookie 6-3 Mark De'Riviere, a top 18 year old
college prospect from Sydney.
"We
will definitely give the Philippine Team a run for their money," said Bolden,
the playing-coach.
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