By Rey Joble

MANILA, Philippines – National basketball team coach Yeng Guiao is facing yet another hurdle, apart from the fact that his team is still unable to see action, whether in local or international competition – not even in a tune-up game with any squad.

And this is the problem: Kerby Raymundo is contemplating on leaving the team because of difficulty in his schedules. So Guiao has no other recourse but to ask the Purefoods star forward to reconsider.

“We’ll try to ask him to reconsider and make an arrangement that would be suitable for everyone," Guiao said. "Right now, we are really pressed for time and our preparation was distorted by the unfortunate events."

The planned pocket tournament involving Guiao’s quintet, the professional Puerto Rican Club champions, and the RP developmental team handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman was called off due to miscommunication among the organizers.

Worse, Guiao and his crew have not yet played on any tune-up games, even as the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) tournament fast approaching. The SEABA event will be held April 2 with Malaysia serving as host.

According to Guiao, Raymundo is one of the most versatile big men in the PBA.

"Having a fast big man in international competition will be an edge for us," Guiao said. "We can’t afford to lose any player at this stage as I have contemplated on adding one or two more players and not drop anyone from our roster."

Recently, Marco Selorio, a Filipino based in Sydney, Australia, has expressed interest in bringing the team here in the Philippines to play the Nationals in tune-up games.

Selorio is the marketing manager of Sydney Spirit in National Basketball League of Australia.

"Our former team captain, Jason Smith of Sydney Spirit, sent me a message that they are interested of coming over here in the Philippines," Selorio said in an online interview. "They played here before in 2005 as member of the Sydney Kings. But some of our guys are on vacation right now, while some are playing in other leagues. But we can work this thing out. If the organizers can arrange a free airfare for our team, then we’re willing to go."

Smith is one of the team’s key players – along with Matthew Knight, David Gruber, Derrick Low, and Drew Williamson. They were part of the three-time champion Kings from 2003 to 2005.

Selorio, who is also the head of Hoopdreamz, a sports promotion outfit, said that they were planning to help every which way they could in the preparations of the RP Team.

"We’ve learned that their planned pocket tournament against a Puerto Rican team was cancelled. We see this as an opportunity to help the RP Team in our best possible way by playing against them," Selorio said. "The good thing about Australian teams is that they play tough basketball."


http://www.gmanews.tv/story/149847/Guiao-wants-Kerby-to-stay-in-RP-caging-team