PH cagers reinforce Southeast Asian clubs in regional tourney

Christian Standhardinger. Photo from Fiba.com

Filipinos remain the heritage import of choice for majority of the teams in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) 2017-2018 season, which tips off on Friday when newcomer Nanhai Kung Fu hosts the Singapore Slingers in Nanhai, China.

Headlined by Filipino-German standout Christian Standhardinger, who will suit up for the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions, nine other Filipino players will be in action for different clubs in the eighth season of the ABL.

The 6-foot-8 Standhardinger will make his debut on Sunday against Alab Pilipinas at Mall of Asia Arena.

Veterans Jason Brickman and Paul Zamar will reinforce Mono Vampire Basketball of Thailand, while forward Reil Cervantes will join forces with Patrick Cabahug at Westsports Malaysia Dragons.

“The ABL is all about opportunities for players and it’s no different this season,” said ABL chief operating officer Jericho Ilagan.

Former Ginebra first-round pick James Forrester suits up for Formosa Dreamers of Taiwan, while ex-GlobalPort point guard AJ Mandani will join Singapore.

Nanhai has tapped unheralded Fil-Ams Caelan Tiongson and Jonathan Bermillo as their heritage imports.