Heads shaking

HANGZHOU – From one headache to another. The woes continued for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) after it was forced to withdraw its women’s 3x3 team in the 19th Asian Games for lack of players. The team came here with four players, in the hope that Cielo Pagdulagan and Marga Villanueva would be allowed to replace veterans Camille Clarin and Angel Surada. No reason was provided on why Clarin and Surada did not make the trip when their names were on the final list of the Philippine delegation. Coach Pat Aquino learned of the decision Monday morning as the team prepared for its opening game against Jordan. With only Camille Nolasco and Louna Ozar eligible to play, Aquino had to pull the plug. “So sad dahil first time namin dito (Asian Games),” said Aquino. The Gilas men’s team was in the same predicament the past few days after its request to insert players who were not on the list it submitted to organizers were denied at the last minute. Heads are shaking.

Marcial for Marcial

HANGZHOU – PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, commissioner Willie Marcial and Gilas Pilipinas team manager Alfrancis Chua were at the stands of the Hangzhou Gymnasium Sunday evening, barely hours after they planed in from Manila with the rest of the star-studded basketball team. Their eyes were glued on the action taking place in front of them. It wasn’t a basketball game. They came to watch Eumir Marcial, the boxer, make his debut in this Asian Games. They were not disappointed as the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist breezed past Dalai Ganzorig of Mongolia and moved on to the round of 16. The PBA commissioner, no relation to the boxer, liked what he saw. “Gold, pare,” was his initial reaction and fearless forecast. Also on hand to watch the action,