RP supports Thai hosting of SEA Games hoops

MANILA, Philippines – Team Pilipinas is willing to play in Thailand if that is what’s needed for basketball to be included in the 2009 Southeast Asian Games. According to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive-director Noli Eala, the federation’s board has decided to play in Thailand instead of doling out money to help construct a basketball court in Laos, the next SEA Games host. "It will be better for us to compete in Thailand or help them host the SEA Games than giving financial donation for the construction of a basketball court in Laos since the money [that will be] used for the said purpose may be channeled to other projects which can benefit us," Eala explained. During the SEA Games sports committee meeting held in Laos last month and attended by Philippine Olympic Committee sports and rules committee chairman Go Teng Kok, Laotian sports officials announced that they may scrap basketball because of the absence of a basketball court. Thailand extended its hand and offered to host the cage tournament, one of a few scenarios presented to the SBP. The Philippines won the SEA Games basketball championship in Thailand last year. Eala expressed confidence that the country would repeat as champs because aside from a deep talent pool, the SBP has tapped the services of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman. "He will be the project director for SBP and he will be part of the soon-to-be-formed SEA Games team," Eala said. – GMANews.TV