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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Saturday, September 9, 2017
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MANILA – Ilonggo basketball players John Byron Villarias and Jaypee Belencion were bannering the NLEX-SCTEX Philippine team in the 2017 Merlion Cup from Sept. 20 to 24 in Singapore.
Villarias, uncle of Gilas Pilipinas cadet Kiefer Ravena, and Belencion, a former professional player who have played in various PBA teams, were part of the PBA D-League champions team Cignal HD Hawkeyes.
Aside from Villarias and Belencion, also set to play for the Philippines were Jason Perkins, Andreas Cahilig, Chris Sumalinog, John Murphy Raymundo, Alfred Batino, Harold Arboleda, AJ Vitug, and Mark Pangilinan.
The 6-foot-9 American Maurice Shaw, a 32-year-old veteran of Thailand Basketball League, was also tapped as import in the Jojo Lastimosa-mentored squad.
“Give credit to our NLEX management, like boss Mon Fernandez, boss Rod Franco, boss Chris Lizo, and boss Ronald Dulatre, for giving the players the opportunity to represent the country,” said team manager Borgie Hermida.
NLEX-SCTEX was looking to improve on the runner-up finish last year of the import-laden Mighty Sports-Philippines, which was defeated by Shanghai Sharks in the championship game, 78-77.
Aside from the defending champion, NLEX-SCTEX will also face Yulon Luxgen Dinos and host team Singapore Slingers in the seven-team tournament./PN
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