Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Give Filipinos a break - Guiao


PhilBoxing.com




Are Philippine basketball?s days of relying on naturalized players to reinforce our national teams in international commitments, which, in the first place remained an exercise in futility, and, in addition, has given the country embarrassment, over?

National coach Yeng Guiao?s decision to exclude naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche look headed to that direction. The feisty mentor of the North Expressway squad in the PBA early this week released his list of 20-player national pool for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers without the name of Blatche, who, until suspended following that shameful players fight has marked the Philippine-Australia game last July here has been a member of team Pilipinas.

Guiao, a multi-titled coach in the country?s play-for-pay league, admitted his decision to drop the former NBA campaigner from the PH upcoming qualifying date with Kazakhstan and Iran is sort of experiment and a chance for big men June Mar Fajardo, Greg Slaughter, Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar and Poy Erram to prove that a purely all-Filipino lineup can stand its ground against the best, the tallest and heftiest in the continent.

?Can we play against the best? Say we play against the Iranians with their big guys without Blatche,? Guiao asked. But if we have June Mar, we have Gregc and we have Christian, Japeth and Poy and the rest of our guys. At least lahat sila may dugong Pinoy, di ba?

?Baka kaya nating mga PInoy,? Coach Yeng said by way of explaining his decision to those who oppose his action. ?Kung hind saka na lang tayo magpatulong. Pero kung kaya natin, kayanin natin (If we can?t he that?s time to ask for help. If we can, then let?s do it.)?

For at least a decade or so, he Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has been seeking the help of foreign players, mostly retired or inactive NBA veterans to augment participation in international competitions, making them acquire citizenship through congressional verdict to no avail.

The highest the Philippines could accomplish since availing the FIBA-sanctioned scheme was a second place finish in 2015 FIBA Asia championship behind eventual champion China, which being the host of the subsequent World Championship made them automatic qualifier and making the country advance to the world tournament.

Marcus Douthit as the Philippines? naturalized reinforcement in both FIBA Asia and world tourneys. We beat Iran, by the way in he FIBA Asia en route to the World Cup.

Blatche, who was then seeking action as an import in the Chinese pro-league, came as the country?s naturalized import for the 2014 Asian Games in Korea after also gaining citizenship through the act of congress but was unable to play for lack of residency requirements, a rule alien to the SBP hierarchy at that time. That led Douthit to wear anew the national colors for that edition of the quadrennial conclave.

It was, too, in that Korean Asiad when the country?s reputation was further tainted when the nationals, in an attempt to advance into the next round, with Douthit as culprit, shot the ball at the enemy?s goal, which, to many, was tantamount to game-fixing.

Then came the more embarrassing PH-Australia melee, which Blatche took part in, which was condemned by the entire international basketball community. Guiao stressed though that Blatche will be considered for the next window of the qualifiers.

In announcing the 20-man pool Guiao named a number of players who played under him in the recent Asian Games and the fourth window of the qualifiers. He also announced he is officially the head coach of Team Pilipinas.

Included in the pool are Paul Lee, Stanley Pringle, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Scottie Thompson, Gabe Norwood, Aguilar, Beau Belga, Erram, Ian Sangalang, and Standhardinger. The veterans included are Jayson Castro, Matthew Wright, Troy Rosario, Fajardo, and Slaughter.

Guiao also dropped Terrence Romeo from his selection. LA Tenorio and Arwind Santos are making a comeback to the national pool as well as cadets Ricci Rivero and Kai Sotto.

The lineup, according to coach Yeng was proposed by SBP to the coaching staff and was accepted by the PBA, making the lineup. "We feel that this a consensus one," said Guiao. "Everybody in the lineup has the chance to make the final 12. An initial cut of around 15 will be made before tune up games against Jordan (November 19 and 21) and Lebanon (November 23 and 25) as part of its preparations for the fifth win

SBP president Al Panlilio said this lineup was one of the best, if not the best, national team ever assembled with the PBA throwing its full support to the Nationals, currently in third place in Group F at 5-3.

The Nationals will start training on November 12 but will have daily practice once the PBA suspends the playoffs to give way for the Philippines games on November 30 and December 3 against Kazakhstan and Iran, respectively.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 27 Jun 2025
  • Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 27 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.