Philippine Sports News and Updates

Coach Yeng Guiao yesterday named the 12 players making the Powerade Team Pilipinas for the coming SEABA championship in Medan, Indonesia, placing Kelly Williams and Sonny Thoss in the reserve list with health consideration used as the lone basis in the selection process.

Making up the roster are Asi Taulava, Kerby Raymundo, Mick Pennisi, Gabe Norwood, Jayjay Helterbrand, James Yap, Cyrus Baguio, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Jared Dillinger, Ranidel de Ocampo and Arwind Santos.

Williams, with a blood disorder, and Thoss, with a knee problem, are relegated to the reserve list for the light regional tournament serving as elimination for the FibA-Asia championship in China in August.

The Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference takes a break on June 4-13 to give way to the national team’s participation in the SEABA championship slated June 6-10.

The Nationals, hoping to make the Top Three in the Asian championship in China to qualify for the world championship in Islamabad, Turkey next year, leave for Medan on June 4.

“With SEABA a light tourney, coach Yeng selected his 12 players based only on health consideration. Making it are the 12 healthiest and not included are the two least healthy,” said PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

“Everybody’s aware that Kelly has an illness. Sonny Thoss, probably unknown to many, is having a knee problem. Coach Yeng prefers that Sonny rests his knee,” Barrios added. “Coach Yeng says Sonny’s more needed in the Jones Cup where a team is allowed to play more than 12 players.”

Thoss was able to play only one of three games in the recent All-Star Week due to the injury. Williams played the first game in Victorias, Negros before suffering the blood disorder problem.

“The team’s mandate in SEABA is to play hard. If the expectation is they’re capable of winning by 35 points, we want them to win by 45. We want them to develop a killer instinct,” said Barrios.

• Philstar
• Philippine Sports Central