MARK BARROCA is back in a national team jersey after he was named as one of 14 members of the pool picked by Head Coach Yeng Guiao for two crucial away games in the sixth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers next month.
Barroca was a member of the Gilas Pilipinas I program coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman having picked directly out of college from Far Eastern University. In last season’s Governors’ Cup, Barroca was named Finals Most Valuable Player in TNT’s successful run.
Joining Barroca in the pool are naturalized player Andray Blatche, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, Scottie Thompson, Gabe Norwood, Marcio Lassiter, Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy Troy Rosario and Poy Erram.
Christian Standhardinger is on standby as a possible replacement for Blatche, thus ruling out Stanley Pringle as a naturalized player option.
Guiao put premium on height to challenge the bigs of Qatar and Kazakhstan.
The pool open camp on Monday in preparation for its game against Qatar on February 21 and Kazakhstan on February 24—both away games.
The Philippines is coming off consecutive defeats in the qualifiers for a 5-5 won-lost record. The Filipinos are running fourth behind World Cup-bound Australia (9-1), Iran (7-3) and Japan (6-4).
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio said he is confident of the national team’s chance of earning a spot in this year’s World Cup in China but acknowledged the games against Qatar and Kazakhstan are “must win.”
Panlilio thanked the PBA Board of Governors led by Chairman Ricky Vargas and Commissioner Willie Marcial for again lending the members of the pool to the national squad.
“As this window is critical in our campaign, we would like to thank again the support of the PBA in making these players available,” said Panlilio, also a member of the league’s board representing Meralco.
“We are also happy to announce that [Andray] Blatche has committed to help our drive,” said Panlilio, adding that Blatche is expected to arrive in the first week of February.
The national team dropped its last two games to Kazakhstan (92-88) and Iran (78-70) last month.