Thursday, May 24, 2007 Cañaleta to replace de la Cruz in RP squad
AIR 21 Express’ swingman and slam dunk king KG Cañaleta will be the new addition to the San Miguel Corp-RP team as the country bids to win the 7th Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) Men’s Championship title in Ratchaburi, Thailand on May 24-28.
Cañaleta will replace Tony de la Cruz, who was injured during the Iran Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in Tehran.
RP Team coach Chot Reyes also announced the Red Bull management has allowed Enrico Villanueva to stay with the team as they try to qualify for the Fiba Asia Championship which is set on July 28 to Aug. 5 in Tokushima, Japan.
The team left for Thailand yesterday and Cañaleta is expected to join the team after the Express’ game against Alaska last night.
Reyes said Cañaleta’s stay with the National team will last only until the Ratchaburi tournament as de la Cruz will be fit enough to join the team in training for the next assignment.
The Philippines drew a bye in the opening day and will play Singapore on May 25, Indonesia on May 26, Malaysia on May 28 and Thailand on May 28.
Their will be no championship round, instead the two top teams will get the slot for the Tokushima Olympic qualifiers.
The SMC-RP squad arrived from Iran last Monday and flew to its next assignment yesterday, wary of what the host team has prepared for the tournament.
Reports have it that Thailand will be fielding US-trained players and some Thais who have played with US NCAA Division 1 teams.
Also joining the Nationals is coach Junel Baculi, who coached the RP Harbour Centre squad to victory during the Seaba Champions Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia. (RCM)
