Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
CONCEDED a slot by many since being named to the Gilas Pilipinas pool, Calvin Abueva joined LA Tenorio as the last two cuts of the squad that will try to win an Olympic berth for the country starting July 5 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After an agonizingly long wait for the announcement of coach Tab Baldwin’s “Fighting 12” Sunday night, the names of Abueva and Tenorio were left out by former Gilas captain Jimmy Alapag—certainly a surprise to many experts, most especially if Abueva’s first two national team stints are to be considered.
Andray Blatche will spearhead this batch of Nationals in the Olympic qualifier that stakes one slot to the 2016 Rio Games in August.
Joining the Syracuse, New York, standout are Jason Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Ranidel de Ocampo, Terrence Romeo, Marc Pingris, Ryan Reyes, Jeff Chan and rookies Ray Parks and Troy Rosario.
That final lineup will play against China on Sunday (Monday morning in Manila) as Gilas winds up its participation in a pocket tournament in Bologna, Italy (See story on A29).
“They (Abueva and Tenorio) have taken it extremely well and they continue to support the team whatever way they can,” Baldwin said even before Alapag made the announcement in three batches of four players.
“You want to lose sleep over it…because you know they are all deserving players,” Baldwin said. “It was a very tough decision.”
Expendable right from start
With so many point guards available, Tenorio looked expendable right from the start, even if he won MVP honors for the champion Jones Cup squad of Chot Reyes in 2013.
“The way they responded, it was team first before them,” said team manager Butch Antonio, referring to Abueva and Tenorio.
“I’d like to give special thanks to Calvin and LA,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan said at TV5 Center on Reliance Street in Mandaluyong.
Others who attended were SBP vice chair Ricky Vargas; Al Panlilio, CEO of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament Committee; SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and Reyes.
As surprising as Abueva’s exclusion was the selection of Rosario, who failed to clinch a slot in the last Gilas team that placed second to China in Changsha province last year.
Parks’ inclusion didn’t surprise many because of his size and ability to play multiple positions, including the point guard spot.
The 34-year-old De Ocampo got his wish of playing one last time for Gilas before calling it quits as a national team player.
Pingris and Norwood will be Gilas members for the fourth time, while Romeo will be playing his third tournament.
“I’d like to appeal to the millions of basketball-loving fans to give support, ask prayers and give best wishes to Gilas,” Pangilinan said.
Gilas clashes with France at 9 p.m. on July 5 and with New Zealand, also at 9, the next day.