Filipino 'Pros' To Play In IBL Options

[j_diddy]

Filipino 'Pros' To Play In IBL - Sep. 3, 2005 - by Anthony Servinio

from Asia-Basket.com


MANILA – As part of their program to raise the level of basketball in Indonesia, the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) has enlisted the services of professional players from the Philippines to serve as imports.


The players are already in Indonesia and will be subjected to a draft among the ten IBL teams. Leading the group is forward Ernesto Ballesteros, a veteran of the PBA and MBA. Ballesteros played the 2005-2006 season with the champion Barangay Ginebra Kings. He was the MBA’s Sixth Man Award winner in 1999 while playing for the Pampanga Dragons.



Others in the group are forwards Edwin Bacani, Gilbert Malabanan, Romar Menor and Bernard de Guia centers Wilfredo Mejia and Arnel Manalac and guards Michael Garcia and Rensy Bajar.



The Filipinos’ stint was made possible with the help of former IBL and Indonesia NT coach Geraldo Ramos and sports agent Ed Ponceja. Coach Ramos is now an assistant coach with the Talk N Text Phone Pals of the PBA.


The players will stay in Indonesia for roughly a month, two weeks for practice and two weeks for the actual IBL tournament. “The Indonesians look up to the Filipinos,” said Ponceja. For his part, Ballesteros hopes that this would open more opportunities for Filipino players.




geeeeees.. what could they be thinkin?! (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/sure.gif) those 'imports' are nothing but over the top ballers. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/embarassedlaugh.gif) or dare i say, never made it to the top ballers. ahaha. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)