Former NBA, college stars to join PBA q’finals?

An all-American selection, featuring four ex-NBA cagers and eight former collegiate stars from US NCAA’s Division I, might join Canada’s University of British Columbia squad in the foreign-flavored quarterfinal round of the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference set to kick off middle of this month.

This came about as the Perth Wildcats of the Australian Basketball League and the Lebanon national squad remain silent on their confirmation whether to play in the league’s transition tournament or not with barely two weeks before the start of the quarters.

PBA player-agent Danny Espiritu, who will reportedly manage the US team’s stay in the country, however, did not name names but said he is currently talking with a representative from the US with regard to the details of the team’s participation in the eight-squad, two-group phase.

Espiritu said he might tap a corporate sponsor to finance the US team’s stay and consequently help the PBA, which is supposed to finance the two squads’ stints here.

What could stand in the way, Espiritu added, is the US travel advisory warning its nationals of possible terrorist attacks here.

The PBA said Lebanon has yet to communicate with league officials while the Perth Wildcats want the PBA to adjust its schedule since the conference might run in conflict with the ABL’s schedule back home.

However, a PBA official has ruled out the option of adjusting the league’s schedule just to accommodate the Wildcats.

So far, only the San Miguel Beermen, who topped the elimination round with a 16-2 (win-loss) slate, made it to the quarters this early while the Alaska Aces and the Coca-Cola Tigers clash tomorrow for the other outright berth.

The four spots will be contested by the other eight teams headed by the loser of the Alaska-Coke duel and No. 4 Talk N’ Text, which take on Purefoods and FedEx, respectively.

No. 5 Red Bull Barako tangles with No. 8 Shell while No. 6 Barangay Ginebra faces No. 7 Sta. Lucia Realty in a pair of knockout duels for the other two slots.