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Friday, January 24, 2003
RP team to recruit players from provinces
By Rommel C. Manlosa
THE Philippine national team will adopt a grassroots-based recruitment program as it scouts for talented players from outside Metro Manila.
University of the East Warriors head coach David “Boycie” Zamar, the RP team assistant coach, said the Basketball Association of the Philippines’ (BAP) thrust is to discover talents from the grassroots and give them the chance to represent the country in international tournaments.
“The thrust of the national team right now is to go deep into the grassroots level. That is to put bridges from Manila to Visayas and to Mindanao. For now we extend our recruitment to Visayas and Mindanao so there will be chances for players from Visayas and Mindanao to play for the country,” said Zamar at the Scoop-Cebu forum yesterday at Baseline Restaurant.
Zamar guided the Philippine team to win the 4th Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) Men’s Championship in 2000 and the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand in 2001.
According Zamar, RP team head coach Aric del Rosario has already talked with the University of the Visayas management for the entry of forward Neil Rañeses and center Joseph Ronald Quiñahan to the national squad.
The two outstanding Green Lancers made it to the Mythical Five of the Champions League 2002, besting other big names in Manila who also play their positions.
“Coach Aric has communicated with UV and they are very cooperative. In the case of Rañeses he is very much available but we have a little problem with Quiñahan with regards to the schedule of his studies. But we will try to accommodate that,” Zamar said.
Also invited to join the national team is the 6-foot-8 tower from Davao City’s University of Mindanao Wildcats Samigue Eman, a center who could add ceiling to the national team.
“Just imagine Rañeses playing along with James Yap and Quiñahan alternating with Niño Cañaleta or Eman. We have a very strong team – the future superstars of Philippine basketball,” said Zamar.
(January 24, 2003 issue)
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