Philippine National Teams - Past and Present

[Jay P. Mercado]

Anybody else who can provide the three remaining players of that hastily-formed 1993 RP Men's Team that won the gold in the Singapore SEAG? There's so much to be proud of this team, as despite the lack of quality players that played for this team, still won the gold medal despite the odds.

1993 RP Men's Basketball Team:
(for the SEA Games)

Siot Tanquincen
Poch Juinio
Rodney Santos
Mike Orquillas
Cris Bade
Onchie Dela Cruz
Harmon Codinera
Gilbert Castillo
Richie Melencio
????
????
????

Coach: Rogelio Melencio

[Jay P. Mercado]

Anthony (or anyone else):

Anyone else who can provide the remaining two players in the 1997 RP Men's Team for the SEAG?

1997 RP Men's Team (SEAG):

Romel Adducul
Danny Ildefonso
Ralph Rivera
Gerald Francisco
Jomer Rubi
Ato Morano
Rensy Bajar
Dino Manuel
Norman Gonzales
Henry Fernandez
????
????

Coach: Dong Vergeire

[nardong_putik]

Anybody else who can provide the three remaining players of that hastily-formed 1993 RP Men's Team that won the gold in the Singapore SEAG? There's so much to be proud of this team, as despite the lack of quality players that played for this team, still won the gold medal despite the odds.

1993 RP Men's Basketball Team:
(for the SEA Games)

Siot Tanquincen
Poch Juinio
Rodney Santos
Mike Orquillas
Cris Bade
Onchie Dela Cruz
Harmon Codinera
Gilbert Castillo
Richie Melencio
????
????
????

Coach: Rogelio Melencio

I think Dennis Espino was included in this line up.

[capitantiago]

I think Dennis Espino was included in this line up.

nope. he was among who revolted.

ue's high leaping forward jumbo cruz played for this team.

[Sakamoto]

Wasn't Tembong's son, Richie, also part of this ragtag 1993 lineup that played in the Singapore SEA Games?

i dont think so because i believe he was too young at that time. Those who had a valid passport were able to join this hurriedly formed team. I forgot some of the players tumatanda na kasi eh from what i remember most of them are member of the RP youth team.

[Sakamoto]

Anthony (or anyone else):

Anyone else who can provide the remaining two players in the 1997 RP Men's Team for the SEAG?

1997 RP Men's Team (SEAG):

Romel Adducul
Danny Ildefonso
Ralph Rivera
Gerald Francisco
Jomer Rubi
Ato Morano
Rensy Bajar
Dino Manuel
Norman Gonzales
Henry Fernandez
????
????

Coach: Dong Vergeire

Glenn Peter Yap
Christopher Cantonjos

[Servinio]

Anthony (or anyone else):

Anyone else who can provide the remaining two players in the 1997 RP Men's Team for the SEAG?

1997 RP Men's Team (SEAG):

Romel Adducul
Danny Ildefonso
Ralph Rivera
Gerald Francisco
Jomer Rubi
Ato Morano
Rensy Bajar
Dino Manuel
Norman Gonzales
Henry Fernandez
????
????

Coach: Dong Vergeire

The last two spots belong to Glenn Peter Yap and Christopher Cantonjos. Henry Fernandez was not part of the team. His spot belongs to Richard Melencio.

This was basically the same team that competed in the ABC Men's earlier that year in Saudi Arabia. From what I remember, Jomer Rubi was brought in as an "insurance" for the SEA Games in Jakarta, replacing Oliver Agapito.

[Big Ticket]

The last two spots belong to Glenn Peter Yap and Christopher Cantonjos. Henry Fernandez was not part of the team. His spot belongs to Richard Melencio.

This was basically the same team that competed in the ABC Men's earlier that year in Saudi Arabia. From what I remember, Jomer Rubi was brought in as an "insurance" for the SEA Games in Jakarta, replacing Oliver Agapito.

isn't this the last SEAG Basketball Team that lost a ballgame? i think they deliberately lost its last game to avoid meeting the host country in the finals.

their coach was dong vergeire...

[nardy]

1980 RP Youth Team:

Alfredo Amador
Edgardo Cordero
Arturo Cristobal
Ramon Cruz
Angelito Esguerra
Dante Gonzalgo
Zaldy Latoza
Reynaldo Lazaro
Melvin Martin
Antero Saldana
Joel Valle
Elpidio Villamin
Frankie Lim - injured/reserve

Coach: Arturo Valenzona

correction it is not Ramon Cruz but Ramon "Onchie" dela Cruz

[nardy]

1981 Men's Basketball Team:

Frankie Lim
Itoy Esguerra
Bokyo Lauchengco
Ricky Relosa
Ed Cordero
JV Yango
Elmer Reyes
Teddy Alfarero
Franz Pumaren
Wilton Roxas
Toya Rojales
John Copada

Coach: Pilo Pumaren

[nardy]

Above is a rare picture of the Philippines vs Israel in the 1974 Tehran Asian Games #13 is Rudy "the Magician" Soriano of the Crispa Redmanizers with #10 Ramon Fernandez of the Komatsu Komets.

Other members of the team were:

from Crispa Redmanizers - Bogs Adornado, Philip Cezar, Atoy Co, Abet Guidaben and Johnny Revilla

from U-tex Weavers - Danny Florencio

from Komatsu Komets - Sonny Jaworski (Captain Ball)

from Concepcion Carriers - Jimmy Mariano

from Royal Tru-Orange - Yoyong Martirez and Dave Regullano

[nardy]

1973 Men's Basketball Team:

Jimmy Mariano
Dave Regullano
Ramon Fernandez
Robert Jaworski
Francis Arnaiz
Alberto Reynoso
William Adornado
Joy Cleofas
Manny Paner
Rosalio Martirez
Rogelio Melencio
Abet Guidaben

Coach: Tito Eduque

1973 ABC:

The Philippine NT to the 1974 FIBA Worlds in Puerto Rico was basically the same team that won the Manila ABC in 1973. I do not know if any changes were made.

1974 FIBA World Championship RP Team

In this photo:

SITTING: ?, Yoyong Martirez, Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz, Joy Cleofas, William (Bogs) Adornado, Manny Paner and Mr. Legaspi,

STANDING: Juan Cutillas, Carlos Loyzaga, Alberto (Big Boy) Reynoso, Dave Regullano, Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Jaime Mariano, Rogelio (Tembong) Melencio, Dante Silverio and Tito Eduque

[nardy]

World Championship Teams:

1954 at Rio de Janerio, Brazil (3rd Place):

Antonio Genato
Mariano Tolentino
Carlos Loyzaga
Napoleon Flores
Francisco Rabat
Florentino Bautista Jr
Rafael Barretto
Lauro Mumar (Captain)
Benjamin Francisco
Ponciano Saldana
Bayani Amador
Ramon Manulat

Coach: Herminio Silva

1959 at Chile

Carlos Badion
Constancio Ortiz
Eduardo Lim
Carlos Loyzaga
Loreto Carbonell
Edgardo Ocampo
Alfonso Marquez
Kurt Bachman
Mariano Tolentino
Emilio Achacoso
Roberto Yburan
Guillermo Baz
Ramon Manulat
Geronimo Cruz

Coach: Virgilio Dalupan

[nardy]

OCTOBER 2, 1967: RP REGAINS CAGE TITLE




The RP National Basketball teams won the ABC (Asian Basketball Championship) five times in 1960, 1963, 1967, 1973 and 1986.It also won the Asian Games Gold four times in 1951, 1954, 1958 and 1962 during the reign and time of Carlos 'The Big Difference' Loyzaga. The best finish by a Philippine Team and any Asian Team in the World Championships is a Bronze Medal in 1954. Up to this time, no Asian nation has ever surpass this until the present time.

Let us relive and revisit that one single and shining moment when the Philippine team went on to regain the ABC in 1967 ---Here's that story from the front page of The Manila Times

Philippine Team Lineups: Narciso Bernardo, Joaquin Rojas, Orlando Bauzon, Alberto Reynoso, Robert Jaworski, Adriano Papa, Danilo Florencio, Edgardo Ocampo, Rogelio Melencio, Edgardo Roque, Jaime Mariano/ Coach- Carlos Loyzaga

Philippines d. Indonesia103-67
Philippines d. Malaysia92-55
Philippines d. India111-63
Philippines d. Japan81-69
Philippines d. Singapore107-58
Philippines d. China83-79
Philippines d. Hongkong103-52
Philippines d. Thailand95-66
Philippines d. Korea 83-80

RP WINS CAGE CROWN

DEFEATS KOREA 83 to 80


Seoul, Oct.1 --- The Philippines regained the Asian basketball championship tonight with an uphill 83-80 victory over South Korea before 12,000 partisan spectators. Six Filipino players fouled out in the last quarter of a harrowing game in which the Philippines fell behind, 11-2, in the first three minutes. Narciso Bernardo led the Filipinos out of that jam to a 41-38 halftime lead. And as Adriano Papa caught fire and pumped in 12 points in a five-minute stretch in the third quarter, they stormed out front, 58-47. But the rugged, spirited Koreans did not give up so easily and the outcome remained in doubt until Danilo Florencio, fresh from the bench, hit four points in the last 48 seconds. Thus did the Filipinos get back the crown they lost to Japan in the third ABC tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 1965.

It also ended a rash of international setbacks for the Philippines which began with its failure to qualify for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.


Following the defeat to Japan in 1965 in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines lost the Asian Games championship in Bangkok last December, finishing in sixth place. “We promised not to let our people down,” said Filipino coach Carlos Loyzaga, who was as a player starred in the Philippines’ greatest moments on the international basketball scene. Tears welled in Loyzaga’s eyes. The players were in tears as they shook hands with the handful of Filipino spectators who had come down to the court to congratulate them.

The Koreans used the zone but pressed spasmodically, catching the Filipinos off-guard most of the time. However, Loyzaga’s boys managed to slip through the Korean defense whenever they saw an opening. The Filipinos, on the other hand, muzzled the Koreans with a switching man to man, although the effort cost them 41 fouls.


Those who fouled out were Eddie Ocampo--- who virtually silenced Shin Dong Pa, the Korean ace; Rogelio Melencio, Joaquin Rojas, Robert Jaworski, Edgardo Roque and Orlando Bauzon. The Koreans drew only 30 fouls from the Uruguyan and Canadian referees, Mario Hopenayn and Allen Gordon Rae.

In addition to clinching a berth in the Mexico Olympics, the Philippine quintet assured itself of a tour of the United States under the People to People program.Surprisingly nothing untoward happened. The most the partisan fans did was to boo the Filipinos whenever they had the ball. The crowd’s jeering was at its loudest when the Koreans rallied from 73-65 to 79-79 on the drives of Kim In Kun and Ha Ui Keon.

The victory was the ninth straight for the Filipinos in the 10-nation, one-round series, which was staged for the fourth time since 1960. Japan wrapped up third place by clobbering Singapore, 90-55.

Bernardo scored 16 of his 23 points during the Philippine rally in the first half. With Ocampo tying up Shin, the Philippines inched ahead for the first time at 27-26 in the 12th minute. Bauzon and Jaworski connected two baskets and the Filipinos were on their way. Papa, who sizzled only in the second half, was assisted by Jaime Mariano and Roque as the Philippines hammered out its 58-47 advantage.


The Filipinos outrebounded the Koreans, 41-24, grabbing 17 to Koreans’ nine in the first half. Bernardo, Mariano, Melencio and Alberto Reynoso accounted for 23 of those rebounds. Officiating was strict, resulting in too many charging calls on both sides.

The Manila Times/ October 2, 1967

source: Tower Sports Magazine, page 22, 2004 Athens Olympics Special


Danny Florencio (the one that looks like Ogie Diaz..LOL) gets a victory ride from teammates Jimmy Mariano and Jun Papa - I think this was 1972 RP Olympic Team

Trivia: (pls. don't use this for bragging!)

The Philippines has qualified for the Olympics a total of seven times in men's basketball.

The Filipinos placed fifth (4-1) record in the 1936, 12th (4-4) in 1948, tied for ninth to 16th spot (3-2) in 1952, and placed seventh (4-4) in 1956, 11th (4-3) in 1960, 13th (3-6) in 1968 and again 13th (3-6) in 1968 and again 13th (3-6) in 1972.

With he loss of their best players to the professional league following the birth of the Philippine Basketball Association in 1975, the Filipinos surrendered their prominent position in the Olympics.

In the inaugural 1936 Berlin Games, the Philippines, captained by future Senator Ambrosio Padilla, settled for fifth place - the highest ranking by any Asian country until now - even though it lost only to the U.S. in the knockout Quarterfinals and scored victories over bronze medalist Mexico, Estonia, Italy and Uruguay.

The most recent RP Olympic Team - 1972 squad was composed of Jimmy Mariano (a team best 13.9 points per game), Danilo Florencio (13.1), Adriano Papa Jr. (9-3), William Adornado (4.0), Rosalio Martirez (6.0), Manuel Paner (7.9), Rogelio "Tembong" Melencio (6.3), Narciso Bernardo (6.3), Freddie Webb (5.3), Ricardo Cleofas (3.7), Marte Samson (3.4) and Edgardo Ocampo (2.1). Coach of the team was Ignacio "Ning" Ramos.

En route to its 13th place finich, the Philippines lost to Poland 90-75 (after leading 46-33 at halftime), Puerto Rico 92-72, West Germany 93-74, and Yugoslavia 117-76, beat Senegal 68-62; lost anew to the Soviet Union 111-80 and Italy 101-81 before beating Egypt by forfeit (the Egyptians did not appear for the game and returned home following an Arab Commando attack on the Israeli delegation) and upsetting then-Asian Basketball Confederation titlist Japan 82-73 in consolation round-play.

Robert Jaworski, a future Senator like Webb, was a member of the RP Olympic team to the 1968 Mexico Games.

The above picture of Jimmy Mariano and Jun Papa carrying Danny Florencio was at the 1967 Seoul ABC Championship after Florencio scored the crucial last 4 points for the Philippine Team that earned us the win and the Championship.

[nardy]