SBP lauds Meralco Bolts franchise for accepting Fiba Asia Cup duty

Ranidel De Ocampo

Much like the Rain or Shine Elastopainters squad in the 2018 Asian Games, the Meralco Bolts took on the task as willing replacements for the Fiba Asia Championships Cup slated on September 27 to October 2. PBA Commissioners' Cup runners-up San Miguel Beermen were initially tabbed as the Philippine representatives, but it looks like the Norman Black -mentored squad will be the ones bannering the flag in the annual meet that pits the region's best teams in a five-day tourney in Thailand. 'SBP is thankful to coach Norman Black and Meralco Bolts for accepting the challenge to represent the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup,' a grateful Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Paniliio said in a statement. Since the tournament runs in conflict with the current PBA Governors' Cup schedule, SBP originally planned to send the best players from the D-League, together with two solid foreign reinforcements. However, Fiba President Patrick Baumann expressed his wish for the PBA to send one of its teams instead, as to which the league gladly obliged. 'I had to present the request of Mr. Baumann to the PBA Board and Commissioner Marcial and without hesitation, they acceded to it. Due to schedule constraints and so as not to disrupt the preparation of other teams, the Meralco Bolts (with 2 imports) volunteered to represent our country,' Panlilio bared. Boasting one of the most promising young cores in the PBA today, Meralco features the likes of Chris Newsome, Baser Amer, and Garvo Lanete, as well as multiple-time national team forward Ranidel deOcampo (197-F-81). The team will be anchored inside by two-time PBA Best Import winner Allen Durham, along with another reinforcement. The squad will surely face some stiff competition as reigning champions Al Riyadi of Lebanon returns to defend their crown, along with the Liaoning Flying Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association and the Korean Basketball League titlists Seoul SK Knights. Thailand's Mono Vampire, Iran's Petrochimi Bandar Imam BC, Japan's Alvark Tokyo, and Chinese Taipei's Pauian, round up the rest of the competition. Despite the tough task ahead, Panlilio remains optimistic about the team's chances and is delighted to further strengthen our country's relationship with the sports governing body. 'Without a doubt, the partnership of the PBA and the SBP has become more solid. And this is a big, big plus for our national team,' the SBP chief said. 'This is also part of our continued commitment to promote goodwill and strengthen our relationship with FIBA'.
Courtesy of: foxsports.ph