By NOLI CRUZ
THE ABSENCE of three key players will keep the expectations to a minimum for Team Philippines when it competes in the William Jones Cup starting today up to July 16 in Taipei.
Team regulars Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and Renren Ritualo of Talk ‘N Text will miss the tournament since they will be joining the Phone Pals in the Los Angeles Summer Pro League from July 8 to 19 in Long Beach, California.
Coach Chot Reyes has tapped Ali Peek and John Arigo from Coca-Cola and Ronald Tubid from Air21 to take their places.
The Philippines, bidding to improve its third-place finish last year, faces Qatar at 3 p.m. today at the Taipei Physical Education College Gymnasium.
"While we’ll do our best to win it all, the reality is that with the ongoing finals and the TNT pullout, we are essentially bringing the aspirants team of 25 year olds and below (except for Arigo, Peek and San Miguel’s Dondon Hontiveros)," said Reyes in a text message.
Two of the young stars joining the trip are Alaska’s Sonny Thoss and Mike Cortez.
"Our main objective is really to train future national players and scout other Asian teams," said Reyes.
The eight-team field includes Asian heavyweights Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan. The three are sending their national teams in the competition.
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