Harbour not giving up hope on Brunei Cup

By Julius Manicad

07/19/2008

RP Team-Harbour Centre is still keeping its fingers crossed its players will make a last-minute decision of playing in the 7th Brunei Cup come August 25.

 Team manager Erick Arejola yesterday admitted nothing significant has come out since most of their players are still playing in their respective commitments outside of the Philippine Basketball League. 

Organizers of the prestigious commercial tourney have extended a formal invitation to the Nationals, but most of the them are not available that even Arejola and team owner Mikee Romero are not sure whether to answer the invitation. 

“We’re not yet sure,” Arejola said. “We’re still waiting for further development, we’ll keep you posted.”

 Team consultant Junel Baculi admitted on Tuesday the chance of putting the country’s finest amateur standouts in one team is quite difficult at this point, prompting them to mull the possibility of backing out of the tourney.

He said role players like Jerwin Gaco, Boyet Bautista and Al Vergara are campaigning in the fledgling Liga Pilipinas while starting center Beau Belga and head coach Jorge Gallent are in their respective teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The key stalwarts are also not around as Jason Castro is currently with the Singapore Slingers while Filipino-American Gabe Norwood is in Europe, hoping to land a job if a professional career in the country doesn’t work out soon.

TY Tang, Jonathan Fernandez, Jeff Chan and Chad Alonzo are also doubtful as they are bracing for the forthcoming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft next month.

“It’s really hard to speak at this point. We’re still waiting for words from them,” the amiable Arejola further said.

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