Jeff Moore, one of the country’s naturalized players in the 1980s, is looking to reconnect with his former teammates at Northern Consolidated Cement during the staging of the FIBA Basketball World Cup set from 25 August to 10 September.
In an online exchange, the 6-foot-4 Moore told Daily Tribune that is very much interested to visit the country and rekindle his friendship with his old teammates and friends like Philippine Basketball Association Hall of Famers Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim and Hector Calma.
Together with other naturalized players like Arthur “Chip” Engelland and Dennis Still, Moore powered the country to a dominant performance in the international arena.
The NCC ruled the William Jones Cup against a very solid United States team composed of future National Basketball Association players before dominating the PBA Third Conference in which they swept Manila Beer in a best-of-seven championship.
Then, Moore and the NCAA came up with a triumphant performance in the ABC Men’s Championship, which is now known as FIBA Asia Men’s Championship, from December 1985 to December 1986.
Interestingly, Engelland, now the assistant coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be coming to Manila after being appointed by head coach Steve Kerr as shooting coach of Team USA.
“That’s my plan, but I don’t know anybody, I don’t have contacts, the boss (Danding Cojuangco) is already dead,” said Moore, who now runs the program of Eroom Basketball Academy in Mexico as well as Tucson High Magnet School in Arizona.
“I wonder if anybody could put me in a hotel and can maybe treat me like a legend that brought back prestige to basketball in the Philippines — at least for a week.”
Upon knowing the request of Moore, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio quickly responded, saying that he will work with San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua to make some arrangements.
“I don’t know where the others are and I don’t know if we have time to do that, but I think the best person to help me there is Alfrancis Chua, since it’s NCC,” Panlilio said.
“But I think if he’s willing to come here, then he’s more than welcome to join us. He’s been a part of Philippine basketball history, being part of the NCC. You’re welcome, Jeff, and join us in this World Cup. Jeff, Chip and Dennis Still, if they can come here, we want to share the experience with them for sure because they were part of the journey.”
