Pormal na nagbukas ang 2017 edition ng Southeast Asian Games sa makulay at magarbong ceremony kagabi sa Kuala Lumpur.
Ngayong gabi naman ay sisimulan ng patok na men’s basketball squad ang paghahabol sa 17th gold medal sa SEAG sa pagsalpok sa umasensong Thailand habang ang women’s counterpart lalaban sa Singapore.
Alas-7:15 ng gabi sasabak ang women’s team sa Malaysian Basketball Association gymnasium, 9:30 p.m. ang iskedyul ng men’s sa parehong venue.
“The field had greatly improved. Everybody’s now playing well,” lahad ni coach Jong Uichico. “We now have to work hard and prove that we deserve the crown.”
Wala ng Marcus Douthit at Andray Blatche ang Pilipinas, pero pasok si 6-foot-8 Filipino-German Christian Karl Standhardinger bilang naturalized player, makakasama sa loob sina 6-foot-7 Troy Rosario at 6-foot-5 Kobe Paras.
“With Christian on board, at least we’ll have some size,” dagdag ni Uichico. “Christian would be able to help Troy and Kobe. At least, medyo hindi tayo maagrabyado sa rebounding.”
Kukumpleto sa team sina Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., Mike Tolomia, Baser Amer, Kiefer Ravena, Von Pessumal, Almond Vosotros, Kevin Ferrer at Raymar Jose.