Shooting for glory
Hong Kong's Regal Energy has emerged as one of the favourites to win the Asian Basketball Confederation Champions Cup in Indonesia.
Imported players John Spenser and Wayman Strickland, who led Winling to victory in the Reunification Cup last month, will strengthen the team which also includes Choi Fung-yue and Ng Chu-yip. Regal chairman and coach Stanley Au expects his team to be in the finals. 'John and especially Wayman played really well in the Reunification Cup and I'm confident they will show outstanding form in the tournament,' he said.
An Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) spokesman said 10 of the region's top clubs had accepted invitations to compete in the Jakarta tournament.
The contest, which will run from next Friday to July 25, is 'one of Asia's greatest basketball shows', according to ABC secretary-general Mauricio Martelino.
'There's no doubt that this annual clash of national club champions provides the best benchmark against which to judge the progress of Asian basketball.' Philippine Basketball League champions Tanduay Gold will try to ensure this is the third consecutive year a team from the Philippines has won the cup.
Last year's runner-up Isuzu Motors, led by point-guard Kenichi Sako, are hoping to claim Japan's first title in the event. Also in the Isuzu line-up is former New York Knicks player and NBA slam-dunk champ Kenny 'Sky' Walker.
Bayi Rockets of China will not be attending the tournament. Pla Hongshan have been selected to replace the Chinese national champions.
For the third time in as many years, Petronas of Malaysia, have earned the right to challenge for the Champions Cup. Petronas finished fourth last year and second in 1995.
Kia Motors, featuring national team member Kang Dong-hee, will represent Korea. They were third in the 1995 championship. Tong Whye of Singapore, Uzbekistan's MHSK team and Zob Ahan of Iran are the remaining teams.
