Hope for Pinoys’ Jones Cup stint

FIBA Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian was expected to arrive in Manila yesterday afternoon to oversee the draw that would determine the groupings in the 27th Fiba Asia Championship that will be played here from Aug. l to 11.

Hagop will have in his portfolio the result of the South (Middle) Asia  sub-zonal competitions which will bring to 14 the number of teams that will participate in the Fiba draw at Manila Hotel on June 6.

“The two other teams from Southeast Asia completing the 16-nation Fiba Asia field, will be known only after the draw,” said  Moying Martelino, deputy CEO of the local organizing committee of the 27th Fiba Asia Championship.

“By this time, the Seaba sub-zonals would have been concluded.”

Based on the result of the sub-zonals (there are 6 sub-zones),  the 13 nations that have qualified are Korea, China, Japan, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei from  East Asia; Iran, Lebanon and Jordan from North Asia; Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain from the Gulf States and Kazakhstan from Central Asia.

Automatic qualifiers are host country Philippines, previous Fiba Asia Cup champion Iran, and the four teams with the best finishes  in the previous Fiba Asia Cup: Japan, Qatar, China and Chinese Taipei.

By the way, an item on GMA News TV  showed an interview with Michael Lee, secretary general of the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association, who said that the Philippines may still be invited to the Jones Cup on the condition that the shooting incident where a Taiwanese fisherman was killed be resolved first.

There is a second pre-condition, but the interpreter was difficult to understand. I’m not too sure but I think Lee said the Philippine team will have to shoulder all its expenses—airfare, board and lodging, etc.

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UP Maroons coach Ricky Dandan has reason to be optimistic this incoming UAAP season, following a major rebuilding his cellar-dwelling  team  went through in preparation for the 2013 UAAP season.

“Our team right now is composed of five holdovers from last season, three returnees and eight rookies.”

He proudly announced that one of the rookies is Andre Paras, eldest son of former teammate Benjie Paras in the 1980s edition of the Maroons.

“I never expected Andre to choose UP from the many teams that have made him an offer. He graduated from La Salle Green Hills, so I expected him to move up with La Salle. Then there’s San Beda, high school alma mater of Benjie, where he is now involved with the junior team,” coach Dandan said.

While he admitted that UP was definitely interested in the 6-foot-4 cager, he merely stood watching him try out with the other top caliber teams in the UAAP and the NCAA.

Much to his surprise, when he invited the boy to attend the UP workouts, Andre did with much enthusiasm.

“We asked him to join our practices so we can  better evaluate his potential. The boy has very good work ethic.

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Ricky said he was surprised when Andre chose to play with UP, which Benjie led to the UAAP title in 1986.

“Going to UP is Andre’s choice and Benjie is happy with his decision. He will be a great role player for us,” Ricky said.

Because of the massive buildup, Ricky expects jelling to take some time.

“Remember, we have eight new guys,” he said. “Nevertheless, we expect to win more games this year. We will take it from there.”