Tough team from Down Under tests mettle of all-pro RP five

MANILA, Philippines - The team from Down Under is expected to bring to the surface the deep-training Philippine national squad. A 6-foot-10 center and two 6-foot-9 forwards banner an Australian selection flying in on April 2 for a pair of goodwill games against the FIBA Asia-bound national team at the Araneta Coliseum. The Hoopdreamz Great White Sharks will have first crack at Yeng Guiao’s Powerade-Team Pilipinas on April 3, followed by a second encounter on April 5. Guiao, the RP team mentor, had rued the lack of tune-up games for the nationals as they head for Medan, Indonesia in June to compete in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament, the qualifier for August’s Asian Championship in China. The Sharks, fierce and physical, should give the nationals a measure of what they need. “Based on their lineup and what we’ve heard from our sources, this is a good Australian team and we’re excited to test ourselves against tough competition," said Guiao. “This is a good opportunity for us and we plan to use the series as a tool and mechanism to evaluate ourselves. We hope to see the progress of the team so we can try to remedy our weaknesses." PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios lauded the coming goodwill series. “We’re enthusiastically looking forward to this," said Barrios. “Finally, the team of Coach Yeng will get to play tune-up games with a big team like the Australian selection. “We’re also happy for our million of PBA and basketball fans since they will be able to watch the games live either at the Araneta Coliseum or on TV via C/S-9." Facing the Australians are team captain Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, James Yap, Gabe Norwood, Jayjay Helterbrand, Arwind Santos, Cyrus Baguio, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, Willie Miller, Sonny Thoss, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger. Assisting Guiao on the bench are assistant coaches Roehl Nadurata, Gee Abanilla and Kenneth Duremdes. The Australian selection will be led by NBL superstars, including 6-9 former MVP Bruce Bolden, swingman 6-7 Graeme Dann, 6-10 Anthony Susnjara and 6-4 Eban Hyams. The final two additions include Townsville Crocodiles duo 6-7 Brad Williamson and 6-3 Michael Cedar. The Aussies possess a tall, deep and athletic bench featuring 6-5 Tony Lalic and 6-9 Goran Veg, and ABA stars 6-7 Terry Amir, 6-7 Leslie Coe and 5-11 Sami Tsegay. The youngest member of the team is rookie 6-3 Mark De’Riviere, a top 18 year old college prospect from Sydney . “We will definitely give the Philippine Team a run for their money," said Bolden, the playing-coach. “The Hoopdreamz squad is going to match the Filipinos’ speed, strength and athleticism. We have full respect for their PBA stars and head coach Yeng Guiao, but we are hoping to shake it up in their home court." –GMANews.TV