Alaska stars Tenorio, Thoss, Baracael to join SMART-Gilas for SEABA tilt

AKTV file photo/Joser Dumbrique

With Alaska out of Governors’ Cup contention, Aces stars LA Tenorio, Sonny Thoss, and Mac Baracael will join the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team that will see action in the SEABA qualifying tournament for the FIBA Asia Cup, which is slated on July 3 to 7.

SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes bared the news to InterAKTV.

“Kanina lang namin ipinaalam sa board meeting and pumayag naman ang Alaska,” said Reyes in a telephone interview.

The entry of the Alaska stars is a welcome development after Filipino-Americans Cliff Hodge and Chris Ellis were removed from the lineup because of eligibility issues. A similar problem occurred for Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter during SMART-Gilas’ stint in the FIBA Asia Championship last year.

“Hindi tinatanggap ng FIBA yung tournaments such as SEA Games and Asian Games so even if naglaro na rito sina Hodge and Ellis, hindi pa rin sila magiging eligible for (the qualifying tournament),” said Reyes.

Aside from Tenorio, Thoss and Baracael, also part of the select team are SMART-Gilas mainstays Marcus Douthit and Chris Tiu, Aldrech Ramos, Dave Marcelo, Garvo Lanete, Woody Co, Chris Monfort and Borgie Hermida.

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