MANILA – Three players from Western Visayas will be part of the Meralco Bolts-led Team Philippines in the 2018 FIBA Asia Champions Cup from Sept. 27 to Oct. 2 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ilonggos Antonio Jose Caram and Kenneth Bono and Bacolod City native Reynel Hugnatan will play in the tournament that gathers club teams from around Asia.
Also part of the team are former national team players Baser Amer, Chris Michael Tolomia, Clifford Hodge, Jason Ballesteros, Jared Dillinger, Ranidel de Ocampo, Garvo Lanete, and Marnel Baracael.
Other players in the lineup are Bryan Faundo, Nicholas Salva, Chris Newsome, Rommel Niño Canaleta, Joseph Sedurifa, and Raymon Jamito. Allen Durham will serve as import.
The Philippines was grouped with reigning champion Al Riyadi of Lebanon, Alvark Tokyo of Japan, and Mono Vampire Basketball Club of Thailand after the draw on Friday.
Other teams in the competition are Pauian Archiland of Taiwan, Liaoning Flying Leopards of China, SK Knights of Korea, and Petrochimi of Iran.
“I know that we’re going up against some of the top club teams in Asia so, obviously, it’s going to be very, very difficult,” said delegation head coach Norman Black.
The Philippines hopes to surpass the fifth place finish last year of the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas team composed of now PBA players Jeron Teng, Jett Manuel and American Isaiah Austin./PN
