June 20, 2008 - As a bonus for sweeping the 2008 SEABA U-18, Team Manager Jun Sy invited the whole team to join the annual TAO Corp. Summer Outing (this year - to Bangkok, Thailand) along with the coaches and their spouses. Wow! That must've cost Mr. Sy a pretty penny! But such was the joy of wresting back the Southeast Asia crown that the Tao impressario just couldn't let budget concerns keep the team from enjoying this well deserved break. The boys (and the coaches) got to experience partying "Tao Corp.-style" for the first time. And Party, they did.

It didn't take long before the team warmed up to their Tao Corp. family. Before long, they were completely comfortable with the gang. Hamming it up at the team building exercises at the Rose Garden, and dancing to their young hearts' content at the River Cruise dinner. Of course, shopping is always a key activity to these guys. So the malls and shopping districts like MBK, Chatuchak and Prathunam became frequent hangouts for these young bargain hunters. 

SBP Chairman Manny Pangilinan made sure that they won't come home empty handed by sending them off with a little "cash-pabaon" and the boys gamely spent it on Thai goodies that will help keep the memory of this trip fresh in their minds for a long time. At the main dinner, The team's media manager put together a short MTV that sent the Tao family into "Oooh's and Ahh's" as they showed clips of their game highlights in their recent Malaysia triumph. The MTV also showed pics of the boys in their younger years which generated a lot of hoots from the crowd. At the end of the MTV, a special "directors-cut" portion showed pictures of a very young Jun Sy that sent the entire hall into boisterous laughter.

"This is a nice break for the team" said the happy Jun Sy, "They really need to unwind before they head into all-out preparations for the Asia finals in Tehran where they will be up against the likes of Korea, Iran and Kazhakstan which are known to be powerhouse contenders. And let's not forget mighty China! They are the team to beat!"

At the same dinner, Coach Franz Pumaren also said that he is saddened by the fact that the team will be missing the services of Kyle Pascual who couldn't make it to Bangkok either due to his studies. "Along with Pascual, we will also be missing the support of my brother Dindo (Pumaren) as Assistant Coach, and Sandy Arespacochaga. I think there are some issues that they have to address back at their home teams. That's why we're tapping some friends whom I know are able replacements for these fine coaches. I'll make the announcement when we get back to Manila." As of this writing. It has been announced that John Rey Sumido is being summoned out of the pool to rejoin team practices. And Michael Wright, A Filipino standout currently playing for his school in Canada has also been tapped to come home and boost the team's outside shooting guns.

This trip to Thailand must have been providential for the Nokia Pilipinas RP Youth team. They know the place now, and they are rarin' to come back in July as the management has deemed it wise to send them to the SEABA Stankovich Qualifying tournament which will happen here sometime in the latter half of the month. The Stankovich Cup is made up of older teams (age range: 21 to 25). The exposure should give our boys the confidence they need to face their FIBA U-18 opponents come August 28-Sept. 5. Good luck, Boys! Sawasdee!