The Meralco Bolts won't be able to complete an unfinished business in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup.
The Bolts were replaced by Lebanese Basketball League powerhouse Al Riyadi at the last minute as Fiba opted to have champion ballclubs compete in the 24-29 September meet in Thailand.
Coach Norman Black confirmed the development recently.
"Yes we were told we're not going to Thailand," said the champion mentor.
The Bolts represented the country to the same tournament last year, where following a slow start, the team still made it to the semifinals before losing to Petrochimi Bandar Imam of Iran. Meralco went on to lose in the battle for the bronze against Seoul SK Knights.
After getting the go-signal again from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to compete in the annual meet, the Bolts appeared ready to compete for the championship behind a retool roster that now has big man Raymund Almazan and rookie young guns Trevis Jackson and Bong Quinto.
In addition, two-time Best Import Allen Durham will partnered with former NBA player Renaldo Balkman.
But tournament organizers decided to go the different path this year and wanted to have either reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion San Miguel Beer or runner-up TnT Katropa to be the country’s official representative in the meet.
Unfortunately, the Beermen and Katropa – along with the Blackwater Elite – have long been committed to see action in the East Asia League Terrific 12 in Macau starting 17 September and which also features champion club teams from around the region.
The PBA already had a schedule prepared before it was notified of the Bolts' pullout.
"Nakalatag na. Revised ulit kami," said Commissioner Willie Marcial.
The Governors Cup is set to kick off on 20 September.
The Bolts were replaced by Lebanese Basketball League powerhouse Al Riyadi at the last minute as Fiba opted to have champion ballclubs compete in the 24-29 September meet in Thailand.
Coach Norman Black confirmed the development recently.
"Yes we were told we're not going to Thailand," said the champion mentor.
The Bolts represented the country to the same tournament last year, where following a slow start, the team still made it to the semifinals before losing to Petrochimi Bandar Imam of Iran. Meralco went on to lose in the battle for the bronze against Seoul SK Knights.
After getting the go-signal again from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to compete in the annual meet, the Bolts appeared ready to compete for the championship behind a retool roster that now has big man Raymund Almazan and rookie young guns Trevis Jackson and Bong Quinto.
In addition, two-time Best Import Allen Durham will partnered with former NBA player Renaldo Balkman.
But tournament organizers decided to go the different path this year and wanted to have either reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion San Miguel Beer or runner-up TnT Katropa to be the country’s official representative in the meet.
Unfortunately, the Beermen and Katropa – along with the Blackwater Elite – have long been committed to see action in the East Asia League Terrific 12 in Macau starting 17 September and which also features champion club teams from around the region.
The PBA already had a schedule prepared before it was notified of the Bolts' pullout.
"Nakalatag na. Revised ulit kami," said Commissioner Willie Marcial.
The Governors Cup is set to kick off on 20 September.
No comments:
Post a Comment