After missing the chance to play for Gilas Cadets in last year’s SEA Games, La Salle star Jeron Teng will lead the Mighty Sports Apparels-Philippine squad that will see action in the 2016 Jones Cup on July 23-30 in Taiwan.
The do-it-all forward will be one Mighty Sports’ top attractions in the annual tournament since the PBA-backed Gilas 4.0 can’t make it this time as it is preparing for a bigger mission – the Olympic Qualifying Tournament which starts tomorrow.
Aside from the 6-foot-3 Teng, other local players tapped to play for the Mighty Sports Apparels-PH squad are former Xavier School standouts Ty Tang, Jeric Teng and Gab Banal and ex-Ateneo star Von Pessumal.
Also being eyed to beef up the squad are Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Ferrer of Gilas Cadets and Mike Tolomia and Mac Belo of Phoenix.
University of the Philippines coach Bo Perasol has been tapped by Mighty Sports Apparels President Dr. John Sy to call the shots for team that is tasked to regain the crown won the last time by Gilas four years ago.
Perasol will be assisted by Charles Tiu, Angelo Wongchuking with Jean Alabanza as team manager.
The team will have former Alaska import Rob Dozier and Rain or Shine’s Wendell McKines as reinforcements.
ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) standout Jason Brickman, a Fil-Am, is also in the radar according to Alabanza.
“They are the best available players around because most of the players we want have commitments to PBA D-League and to their respective schools,” said Alabanza.
Arellano University ace Jio Jalalon could be a welcome addition to the team but the wily and deadly guard can’t be tapped due to the ongoing NCAA.