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    SMC has never denied support to the national team, says Chua

    SMC has never denied support to the national team, says Chua
    Jul 27, 2018
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    SAN Miguel Corp. denied it refused to lend players to the national team in the wake of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' stunning decision not to send a team to next month's Asian Games in Indonesia.

    Speaking in a press conference at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum press room before the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals, SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua said the company has always been very supportive of the national team.

    But for this Asian Games specifically, Chua said there was no way SMC can lend its players only because two of its teams in San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra are playing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

    “’Yung ibang tao sinasabi hindi nagpahiram. Ang San Miguel po at Ginebra nasa championship. Hindi talaga makalaro dahil nasa championship kahit sinong player,” Chua said.

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      Chua said he even personally suggested to PBA chairman Ricky Vargas to remove the ‘one-per-team’ policy on the loaning of league players to Gilas Pilipinas.

      “Actually, a couple of months ago, nung umupo si chairman, I told him tanggalin na ‘yung 'one per team (policy). Kahit ilan sa San Miguel group, puwede,” said Chua.

      Chua said proof of San Miguel's support are the players in its stable who have become mainstays at Gilas, rattling off the names of June Mar Fajardo, Jio Jalalon, Japeth Aguilar, and Allein Maliksi (formerly with Magnolia).

      “Bakit si Fajardo, bakit si Jalalon, bakit si Maliksi dati sa amin. Actually sinabi nila si LA, si Cabagnot, lahat okay,” said Chua.

      Chua also explained why Fajardo and San Miguel rookie Christian Standhardinger aren't available for the Asiad.

      “Actually, si June Mar Fajardo, dito sa Asian Games, wala yung pangalan nila kasi linagay ng SBP na wala siya para makapagpahinga for the (next Fiba World Cup qualifying) window," said SMC's sports director.

      "Si Christian, hindi po pupuwede dahil ang rule, sinasabi ko sa board, kailangan three years dito nakatira para makalaro,” added Chua, pointing to the stringent residency rules of the Asian Games for dual citizens and naturalized players.

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      PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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