THE Philippine men’s basketball team leaves for the 18th Asian Games earlier than expected.
Putting premium on bonding away from the maddening limelight, coach Yeng Guiao and his pool of players depart for Indonesia this Sunday (August 12), ahead of the bulk of the Philippine delegation competing in the quadrennial showpiece.
Guiao confirmed the team’s departure on Thursday, giving it just three more days of regular practice here before proceeding to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, where basketball competitions along with 13 others will be played.
“Pabor din naman kasi kung maaga (ang alis),” said Guiao. “At least masosolo namin yung oras.”
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) approved the change in departure from August 14, just two days before it plunges into action against Kazakhstan (August 16). The Filipinos' next game will be on August 21 opposite powerhouse China.
The early departure meant the country’s sole cage entry in the August 18-Sept. 2 meet won’t be able to join the rest of the Philippine contingent during its send-off in Malacanang on August 13.
It will likewise scrap Guiao's plan for at least one tune-up game against a PBA ballclub.
In all, the team only had less than a week of training and preparation for the meet since the SBP decided on Sunday to change its earlier decision and instead, send a basketball contingent to Indonesia composed of the core of the Rain or Shine team.
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