RP cagers off to China hoop
by Hector Santos - Dec 27, 2007
THE PHILIPPINES seeks an unprecedented third straight title as it begins its campaign in the sixth Zheng Cheng Gong Cup international basketball tournament for men scheduled today at the Nanan City, Fujian, China.
To be represented by MBL champion Polymaster Kings/5th Avenue and handled by former national team player Junnel Mendiola, the Filipinos will be seeking to retain the title for the third straight time in this quadrennial tournament being held in honor of the well-known Chinese general and hero.
The Philippines will be pitted against select commercial teams from Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and the Fujian All Stars of host China.
The Filipinos have won back-to-back titles in the tournament in 1999 and 2003 through PBA team FedEx/Air21 Express under RP youth coach and Air 21 assistant coach Johny Tam.
This will also mark the first time that the BAP is sending a team to an international tournament since former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay was elected as president of the basketball association early this month.
"It will be a good opportunity for us to show our wares in the sport, as well as renew our ties with our Asian neighbors," Pichay said, who is putting up an ambitious, year-long program to promote the sport not only in the country but in the whole Asian region.
Pichay thanked officials of the All-China Overseas Sports Council and the Nanan City Sports Council for inviting the Philippines to participate anew.
Pichay also expressed his gratitude to Millennium Basketball League (MBL) chairman Alex Wang, National Basketball League (NBL) president Christian Tan and Polymaster owner James Cafe for supporting the country's campaign in the week-long competition.
Pichay tapped BAP board member Prof. Robert Milton Calo to represent him during the tournament and the Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF) meeting to be held during the competition.
Calo will also formally make the country's bid to host the sixth AUBF.
AUBF president and Korean basketball legend Shin Ding Pa, who will preside the meeting, is expected to support the BAP's bid to host the tournament.
Former FIBA president Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching will be the guest speaker during the opening ceremony of both the Zheng Cheng Gong Cup and the AUBF meeting. Also gracing the event are officials of the China Basketball Association (CBA) and the China University Basketball Federation (CUBF).
Head of delegation is Tai Lian, while Tai Xin Min is the assistant head of delegation. Cafe will act as team leader.
Playing for the team are former PBA player Braulio Lim, Luis Palaganas, Ronnie Zagala, Richard Litonjua, Michael Alexander Dizon, Romel David, Rey Mendoza Jr. and Fil-Am Michael Andre Burtscher.
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by Hector Santos - Dec 27, 2007
THE PHILIPPINES seeks an unprecedented third straight title as it begins its campaign in the sixth Zheng Cheng Gong Cup international basketball tournament for men scheduled today at the Nanan City, Fujian, China.
To be represented by MBL champion Polymaster Kings/5th Avenue and handled by former national team player Junnel Mendiola, the Filipinos will be seeking to retain the title for the third straight time in this quadrennial tournament being held in honor of the well-known Chinese general and hero.
The Philippines will be pitted against select commercial teams from Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and the Fujian All Stars of host China.
The Filipinos have won back-to-back titles in the tournament in 1999 and 2003 through PBA team FedEx/Air21 Express under RP youth coach and Air 21 assistant coach Johny Tam.
This will also mark the first time that the BAP is sending a team to an international tournament since former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay was elected as president of the basketball association early this month.
"It will be a good opportunity for us to show our wares in the sport, as well as renew our ties with our Asian neighbors," Pichay said, who is putting up an ambitious, year-long program to promote the sport not only in the country but in the whole Asian region.
Pichay thanked officials of the All-China Overseas Sports Council and the Nanan City Sports Council for inviting the Philippines to participate anew.
Pichay also expressed his gratitude to Millennium Basketball League (MBL) chairman Alex Wang, National Basketball League (NBL) president Christian Tan and Polymaster owner James Cafe for supporting the country's campaign in the week-long competition.
Pichay tapped BAP board member Prof. Robert Milton Calo to represent him during the tournament and the Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF) meeting to be held during the competition.
Calo will also formally make the country's bid to host the sixth AUBF.
AUBF president and Korean basketball legend Shin Ding Pa, who will preside the meeting, is expected to support the BAP's bid to host the tournament.
Former FIBA president Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching will be the guest speaker during the opening ceremony of both the Zheng Cheng Gong Cup and the AUBF meeting. Also gracing the event are officials of the China Basketball Association (CBA) and the China University Basketball Federation (CUBF).
Head of delegation is Tai Lian, while Tai Xin Min is the assistant head of delegation. Cafe will act as team leader.
Playing for the team are former PBA player Braulio Lim, Luis Palaganas, Ronnie Zagala, Richard Litonjua, Michael Alexander Dizon, Romel David, Rey Mendoza Jr. and Fil-Am Michael Andre Burtscher.
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