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 Nationals coach Yeng Guiao said the upcoming All Star games will be the chance for Team Pilipinas members to prove that they deserve to carry the national flag.
“I think the All Star is a mechanism to prove themselves that they deserve to be in the national team,” said Guiao.
Although the tune up could lead to changes in the 14-man line up, Guiao insisted that things will remains as they are for Team Pilipinas.
“Wala na muna for the meantime, not unless meron talagang malaking dahilan… Pero as for now we’re very happy with the team that we have,” said Guiao.
The National coach, however, said he is not closing the doors on other RP team hopefuls who might dish out their best game against Team Pilipinas.
“Hindi naman nakasara ang isip ko na hanggang dito na talaga. Kung biglang merong isa pang player diyan na nagpakita ng husto o biglang meron may unforeseen circumstances na mangyari, [there could be changes],” he said.
The 14-man Team Pilipinas is composed of Kelly Williams, Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Jayjay Helterbrand, Kerby Raymundo, Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, Cyrus Baguio, James Yap, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel de Ocampo, Arwind Santos, Willie Miller and Sonny Thoss.
Former Ateneo Blue Eagle Japeth Aguilar is also expected to join the team after graduating from the Western Kentucky University.
For his part, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Sonny Barrios said the league’s 10 imports will be divided to three play dates to pose additional challenges to Team Pilipinas.
“Ang idea namin tatlo lalaro for the North, tatlo lalaro for the South. ‘Yong apat na balanse lalaro sa Araneta [coliseum] kasama ng North and South,”
Barrios said Team Pilipinas will play the North All-Stars in Bacolod on April 22, followed by a match with the South All-Stars in Panabo, Davao on April 24.
After the out-of-town matches, the All-Star match will return to Manila where a combined North and South team will face the Nationals on April 26.
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