In this writer’s capacity as head of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), a call was issued to Filipino basketball players overseas who might want to become members of future Philippine basketball teams.

Although the priority is always for local-bred players from the provinces, the NBTC is also opening the doors to Filipinos who took up residence in other countries, particularly the United States, Canada and Europe.

I am happy to note that there have been referrals from our friends, both based here and in abroad.

Our friend Jay Lopez from PLDT wrote:

“Coach E, in line with your quest to find Filipino-American basketball talents, you may want to check these guys out:

“Allan Aguilar, five-foot-10 point guard from San Diego, California. The 24-year-old player, who was Most Valuable Player (MVP) in his high school, competed in a city which has a history of very good high-school talents. Aguilar is finishing his degree in graphic design at Platt College and is ready to make the jump to professional basketball.…Has a very high basketball IQ and displays a calm demeanor under game situations.…Can make both the simple play and the spectacular look very easy and is very fluid in his game. … Can shoot off the dribble, finish and dunk in transition or off a broken play, and can shoot reliably from the perimeter. Most of all, he is unselfish and looks to pass first.…Extremely coachable player who works hard. He makes his teammates better. … Will enter the Philippine Basketball League draft this September. 

“Ryan Raypon, five-foot-11 guard from Fresno, California. He is a 19-year-old sophomore at University of California, San Diego.…Spent time last year as part of the coaching and training staff for the men’s basketball program and will now be walking on with the team.…Strong and athletic player who can finish plays in traffic with body contact.…Was the starting shooting guard for nationally ranked San Joaquin Memorial High School (USA Today Super 25 High School Basketball Poll) for the 2005-’06 season.…Played in the CIF Division IV Southern Section Finals (State Final Four), and played alongside seven-foot Brook and Robin Lopez (starting frontcourt for Stanford University) and Quincy Pondexter (starting SF for University of Washington). Ryan is a perimeter shooter and can run the break as the point guard or finish in the lane in transition. He can make plays off the dribble in the full court or in a half-court offense and always has his eyes up. He is an excellent on-ball defender and plays the gaps well in a team defensive setting.”

Jay also mentioned a site he set up with friends (www.gameface.ph) and mentioned a column by a US-based contributor Tony Faustino in that same web site. It is with great interest that this writer read some names alongside Philippine-bred talents like Japeth Aguilar and Gian Chiu, both former Ateneo Blue Eagles who are in training in the US. Some of the names Tony mentioned were already drafted by PBA teams like Joe Devance and Ryan Reyes.

There are names like Karl Dehesa (six-foot-two, Sta. Ana College), James Francisco (six-foot-three Chaminade University, Hawaii), Ronnie Aguilar (seven feet, Colorado State University), Kevin Dalafu (six-foot-two, Vanguard University), Clayton Laurel (six-foot-three, Leilehua High School in Hawaii), John Cubillo (Servite High School), Mike Custodio (six-foot-two, Notre Dame High School), Kevin Herrera (six-foot-three, Notre Dame High School), Anthony Torres (six-foot-two, Bear Creek High School) and Edwin Escueta (six-foot-five, John Marshall High School).

Notice that I’ve mentioned those at six-foot-two and above as the Philippines really needs tall players as the program is taken on an international context. We also need younger players within the 14 to 19 age requirement of the NBTC program.

I think there are more qualified players out there so I am requesting all our kababayans abroad to e-mail at  altamiranohoops@yahoo.com. The center is short of funds so financial remuneration is unlikely for your services, but you will be happy just to do your patriotic duty to your country.

One of the parents based in Alberta, Canada, Andy Yambao, also sent an e-mail inquiring about the National Basketball Training Program. His son, Jojo, who once played in the SMC Holiday Hoops Challenge, is now a senior in the Bishop McNally High School and stands at six-foot-three.

Andy, whose son played under coach Ato Badolato in my alma mater San Beda, is also interested to become a local coordinator in Western Canada.

Back home, there is still a lot of talents in the local leagues and in the provinces. The recent Nike Elite Camp showed talents like Joshua Webb of the College of Saint Benilde, Nico Salva and LA Revilla of San Beda along with Clark Bautista of Benedictine International School who attended the Nike All-Asia Camp. Jay also mentioned players like Joel Ambohot, Franz Dysam, Philip Paredes, Jason Salvado and Elmer Cabahug Jr. as those with potential.

Good luck to us all.

AT THE RIGHT TIME

Opportunity knocked twice on De La Salle. So it was just right for the Green Archers to seize it this time.

De La Salle summoned what was missing in their previous games—nerves of steel at a most crucial time—to prevail over Ateneo, 70-69, in Season 70 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the full-house Araneta Coliseum.

Lions-Knights series on

SAN BEDA is two games away from fulfilling its dream of repeating as king of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). But the Red Lions know the task is easier said than done.

CEBU CITY—Top Filipino woodpushers, led by Asia’s first Grandmaster (GM) Eugene Torre, compete against the continent’s finest in the Sixth Asian Individual Chess Championship that starts Wednesday at the Cebu International Convention Center.

WITH Nic Belasco likely to agree to terms with Welcoat Paints probably this week, Barangay Ginebra has now shifted its attention to Don Allado of Talk ’N Text in a bid to shore up its frontline.

Greenside Chip: Watch out for The Bomb

BEWARE!  A new “Bomb” is on the loose. 

Nope, this is not about the kind that destroy things or kills life.  It’s Anthony Fernando, the new king of the Philippine Amateur Golf Championship.

Ask Coach E: Call for national players answered

In this writer’s capacity as head of the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC), a call was issued to Filipino basketball players overseas who might want to become members of future Philippine basketball teams.