| BURGER KING TESTS YOUNG NATIONALS |
| Guiao vs Toroman in Finals curtainraiser |
| Tuesday, 03 February 2009 Source: PBA.PH | |
| The worthiness of the young men in training for the mission of their lives – to qualify to the 2012 London Olympics – undergoes scrutiny from no less than national men's coach Yeng Guiao Wednesday during an exhibition game that will serve as curtain-raiser to Game 4 of the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup Finals. Handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, who steered the Iranian basketball team to the FIBA Asia Championship in Tokushima, Japan in 2007, earning for them passage to the Beijing Olympics last year, the Smart Gilas RP squad will face Guiao's Burger King (formerly Air21) at 5 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum. The two teams meet again Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome as a prelude to Game 5. National player Gabe Norwood and Rain or Shine get a crack at the youth squad in case a Game 6 is played Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Comprising the Smart Gilas team are Dylan Simon Ababou, Rabeh Ahmed Al-Hussaini, Jason Ballesteros, Marnel Baracael, Andy Mark Barroca, Ryan Clarence Buenafe, Ricardo Cawaling Jr., Rey Guevarra, Rafael Joey Jasul Jr., Magi King Sison, Gregory William Slaughter, Christopher John Tiu, and Claiford Arao.Assisting Toroman on the bench are Butch Antonio, Chris Dacio, Allan Gregorio, Albert Rolle, Jude Roque, and Jimbo Saret. Guiao, who signed a two-year deal with Burger King a few weeks ago after resigning from Red Bull, will coach the PBA-backed men's team in the FIBA Asia Championship this August in China, with the goal of qualifying to the World Championship in Istanbul next year. Other than Arwind Santos and Cyrus Baguio, who are among Guiao's 14-man RP team pool, providing the youngsters a taste of the pro life for Burger King will be Gary David, Wynne Arboleda, Celino Cruz, Marvin Cruz, JR Quinahan, and Homer Se. This will mark the first time the Bert Lina franchise is appearing in public after acquiring a new coach and name, having just obtained the green light from the PBA Board of Governors to switch brand names. |
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