San Miguel Beer management open to representing Philippines in FIBA Asia Champions Cup Management of San Miguel Beer is open to the possibility of having the Beermen representing the Philippines in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup. “We will consider if and when it is offered to SMB,” Team executive Noli Eala told InterAKTV in a text message. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is currently in talks with FIBA Asia over whether the Beermen booked a slot in the region’s top club competition after winning the ASEAN Basketball League title. The Champions Cup is scheduled in September in Jordan. Last year, San Miguel Beer was given an automatic spot to the FIBA Asia Champions Cup along with the eventual ABL champion. Last year, there was confusion as to which team would represent the Philippines in the competition. San Miguel Beer, which finished as the runner-up in last season’s ABL tournament, thought that it earned a berth for the contest. But the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team, which finished in the top four of the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup, also thought that it was seeded for the tournament. FIBA Asia secretary-general Hagop Khajirian later told the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that San Miguel Beer had the right to represent the Philippines. By then, however, the Beermen had already dissolved its original squad before embarking on a major buildup. As a result of the confusion, the Philippines was unable to send a squad to the competition. San Miguel coach Leo Austria earlier told InterAKTV that the Beermen were facing roster issues, as several members had contracts expiring in June. -TIMRR9
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:08:49 +0000
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