Key UAAP players to skip Mabuhay Cup?

The Philippine training team’s participation in the PBA Mabuhay Cup may just become an exercise in futility with the squad playing minus its key players.

In fact, national coach Aric del Rosario has yet to form his lineup with more than half of the training team’s players now tied up with their school teams.

Among the players unsure of playing for the Nationals are Wesley Gonzales and Rich Alvarez of Ateneo, Mark Isip and Gerard Jones of FEU, James Yap, Paul Artadi, JayAr Estrada and Niño Canaleta of UE, Alwyn Espiritu, Noy Villamin and Jamal Vizcarra of UST and Al Magpayo and Glen Capati of St. Benilde.

The Mabuhay Cup will be held while the UAAP and the NCAA tourneys are on-going.

"Sinulatan na ng BAP (Basketball Association of the Philippines) ang mga schools, pero wala pang sagot," said Del Rosario.

Anticipating the loss of the collegiate players, Del Rosario has talked to a number of PBL mainstays for their possible inclusion in the team.

Gary David, Ariel Capus, Erwin Sotto, Ismael Junio and Mark Omolon are among the players who may back up Marc Pingris, Bernzon Franco, Willy Wilson, Celino Cruz and Dennis Madrid.

Ranidel de Ocampo may also miss the Mabuhay Cup because of a shoulder injury.

The RP team together with the Yugoslavian youth team and clubs squads from China and South Korea are the guest features in the PBA mid-season tourney. The Nationals are to defend their crown in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam this December.