NAHAHARAP man sa matinding hamon ay naniniwala pa rin si Rain or Shine co-team owner Raymond Yu na ang kabubuo lamang na Philippine men’s basketball team ay may kakayahang manalo sa 18th Asian Games na mag-uumpisa sa susunod na linggo.
Aniya, hindi kayang maliitin ng mga kalaban ang Pilipinas dahil kaya nitong manggulat sa Group D kahit pa kasama nito sa grupo ang China at Kazakhstan. Umatras ang pang-apat sanang koponan na Palestine.
“Let’s admit it’s really a tough group but we should not be cowed,” sabi ni Yu na personal na tumungo sa praktis ng koponan noong Miyerkules kasama ang co-team owner na si Terry Que at ang Asian Coatings Philippines chairman na si Yu An Kun.
“We also have good materials like them and we have an excellent motivational coach in Yeng Guiao.”
Sumang-ayon naman si Que sa pananaw ni Yu.
“Knowing these players, they will do everything for the country. Great odds can bring the best out of these players.”
Ang National team ay pinangungunahan ng anim na miyembro ng Rain or Shine at mamanduhan ni coach Yeng Guiao.
Unang makakasagupa ng Pilipinas ang Kazakhstan sa Agosto 16 bago nito kakaharapin ang China sa Agosto 21.
“For flag and country, we are willing to sacrifice our team and support the PH team,” sabi ni Yu, na ang ama na si Yu An Kun ay dating miyembro ng PH football training team. “Our company is mightily proud to be of help to the national cause. Deep in my heart, I know we will take part in the event because basketball has a calming effect to all Filipinos. It is very close to our hearts.”
Kabilang sa koponan sina Gabe Norwood, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Chris Tiu, James Yap, Paul Lee, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stanley Pringle, JP Erram, Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle, Asi Taulava, Don Trollano, Kobe Paras at Ricci Rivero.
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