Pampanga standouts to see action in SEA Games, PBA D-League

Monday, October 24, 2011

WHILE San Sebastian College is focused on winning the 87th NCAA men's basketball crown this week, three of its players will have a packed schedule ahead after committing themselves to a commercial league and the national team.

Top NCAA cagers Ronald Pascual and Ian Sangalang constitute the core of the Stags, who are gunning for a 13th overall crown.

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Abueva, however, will not be able to join his teammates in the biennial meet after he failed to make it into the initial 16 players who are eyed to complete the 12-man line-up.

Reports said Abueva refused to join the try-outs months ago, thus, forfeiting his chance to join the elite roster.

Members of the national pool also include Smart Gilas team captain Chris Tiu and Filipino-Americans Clifford Hodge and Chris Ellis, Ateneo's Nico Salva and Kiefer Ravena, Chris Newsome and Keith Jensen, among others.

The last time the Stags won the championship was in 2009, when the Jimbo Aquino-led squad nipped then-defending champion San Beda in two games.

The Red Lions snatched the honor in 2010 but both teams will face off for another title showdown this year after topping opponents in the three-month long eliminations and playoffs.

After the NCAA, the three will be busy in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia next month and in defending their crown in the PBA Developmental League, which opened shop last week.

Their temporary absence actually concerned NLEX Road Warriors mentor Boyet Fernandez, who is now trying to develop the team into a cohesive unit.

“We have not practiced as a whole team due to the fact that my players still have commitment with the schools. Then SEA Games will be on second week of November and seven players of mine are playing with national team,” he said.

Team manager Ronald Dulatre, meanwhile, said the management is leaving no stone unturned in their title defense of the ongoing D-League Aspirants Cup.

"And we really make sure they feel the full support of management that's why they are treated very well and fairly. No one gets star treatment. It’s all for one and one for all,” he said.

The Road Warriors swept Cebuana Gems in the best-of-three championship series in the inaugural conference of the tournament in June last year. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)