PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad said he has agreed in principle with the Basketball Association of the Philippines through its executive vice president Christian Tan and reiterated their support to the national squad as part of its commitment to local basketball.
"We’ve been talking to the BAP about this matter and we told them it’s a great honor to serve the national team," Trinidad told The STAR.
Trinidad said they are willing to lend their players to the team seeing action in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Men’s Championship in April, the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Men’s Championship in September and the Southeast Asian Games in December in Vietnam.
There is also a plan to suspend PBL operations while the RP team is competing in the SEABA and SEAG meets so that the PBL, its players and supporters can give their full support to the squad.
"Since two of the three events they are participating in are in conflict with our games schedule, we are planning to suspend operations while they are playing so that we will be able to lend our support and prayers fully," said Trinidad.
The PBL is also planning to let the Aric del Rosario-mentored team play in a five-game exhibition duel with a San Francisco-based team, led by 23-year-old Mark Payton, younger brother of Seattle Supersonics All-Star guard Gary Payton, and managed by Bob Ante.
"Actually, the original plan is to field a PBL selection but we might just let the national team take the spot as tune-up to the SEABA event," Trinidad said.
There is also the possibility of the RP squad fielding a team in the PBL first conference tentatively set March 22 similar to what the PBA did to the national team that saw action in the Busan Asian Games last year.
"There is that possibility but I have to consult with the PBL board and the coaches about that," he said.
Del Rosario, who left for Australia yesterday to join Talk N Text in its series of exhibition games with the Melbourne Tigers, has named 26 young, talented players–all practically playing in the PBL–from which the RP team will be culled.
University of the East’s James Yap, Paul Artadi and Nino Canaleta and Ateneo’s Rich Alvarez and Wesley Gonzales lead the cast which survived the two-month tryout conducted by del Rosario, who will be assisted by Boyzie Zamar and Dong Vergaire.
Others in list are Celino Cruz, Dennis Madrid, Lot Soriano, Jun Peter Simon, Olan Omiping, Jamal Vizcarra, Mike Bravo, Don Villamin, Emerson Oreta, Mark Macapagal, Christian Luanzon, Mark Isip, Ronald Capati, Marc Pingris, Gerard Jones, Al Magpayo, Alwyn Espiritu and Bernzon Franco.
Meanwhile, Trinidad said they might admit Cebu-based General Milling Corporation, makers of GMC Tortillos, as a 10th PBL team.
Chairman’s Cup and 2002 UAAP titlist Ateneo, which filed an indefinite leave of absence last year, has yet to decide wether to field in a team in the coming conference.
The nine teams comprising the PBL are reigning Challenge Cup champion Welcoat Paints, Blu All Purpose, Dazz Dishwashing Liquid, LBC, ICTSI La Salle, Montana Pawnshop and John O. Cosmos Bottling Corporation, a San Miguel-owned company, is close to getting a PBL team while Nutrilicious has bought the franchise of Jessie Chua’s Cheeseball-Shark recently.