Cambodia’s Peterson Brandon Jerome, Dorsey Darrinray, Pridgett Sayeedalkabir and Chhorath Tep pose with their gold medals after winning the SEA Games 3×3 basketball final alongside silver medalists Philippines’ Eriobu Joseph Emmanuel Jr, Sedurifa Joseph, Flores Lervin and Vosotros Almond and bronze medalists Thailand’s Jakrawan Chanatip, Morgan Moses, Soonthornchote Antonio Price and Lish Frederick Lee Jones. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
PHNOM PENH—Team captain Almond Vosotros stepped in to lighten the mood in a somber atmosphere that began to engulf the Philippine men’s 3×3 basketball team.
The stocky hot-shooting guard simply reminded the unit that he leads—Joseph Sedurifa, Joseph Eriobu and Lervin Flores—that they didn’t lose against Cambodia in their gold-medal encounter at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
“Heads up guys. Everybody knows they’re not from Cambodia, you know that,’’ said Vosotros after the Cambodian challenge beefed up by naturalized professional players from the United States seized victory, 20-15, at the Filipinos’ expense.
They stood their ground against naturalized dribblers Dorsey Darrinjay, Sayeed Pridgett and Brandon Jerome Peterson, but height, length and athleticism eventually prevailed.
“We all know that they are imports. Our players gave their all and we put up a good fight,’’ said assistant coach Lester Del Rosario.
Southeast Asia Games – Basketball – Morodok Techo Elephant Hall 2, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 7, 2023 Philippines’ Eriobu Joseph Emmanuel Jr, Sedurifa Joseph, Flores Lervin and Vosotros Almond pose with their silver medals REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Team Philippines almost signed up Ange Kouame of Ateneo for the tournament, if not for a nagging knee injury that kept the UAAP MVP temporarily stalled in the freezer.
According to Del Rosario, they only got wind that naturalized players will fortify the Cambodian squad during the technical meeting roughly two days before the competition.
“It was only announced during the meeting. We have no idea, the names were different in the lineup that we saw. We weren’t able to scout them. We just studied their clips and watched the games,’’ said Del Rosario.
Only one naturalized player is permitted in tournaments sanctioned by the Fiba. But in the SEA Games, countries are allowed to bring in as many as they can provided that passports have been issued.
“Will there be changes in the team (in future tournaments)? Maybe those are the things that should be discussed,’’ said Del Rosario.
It’s something the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas should look into.