Goodwill Games basehan sa pagpili ng National team

Ang Goodwill Exhibition Series sa pagitan ng bisitang US Team at RP National Team na nakatakda sa Pebrero 22 hanggang Marso 1 ang siya ng magiging pinal na basehan para sa pagpili ng final 12 line-up na lalahok sa tatlong major international events ngayong taon.

Ayon kay Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) vice-president Christian Tan na ang 26 miyembro ng kasalukuyang national pool ay hinati sa dalawang koponan kung saan dito pipili si Aric del Rosario ng final na manlalaro na bubuo sa RP Team na suportado ng Cebuana Lhuillier na pag-aari ni John Henry Lhuillier.

"I would like to thank the PBL for this valuable support and the experience these players will gain from this Goodwill Series will be a big help in our campaign for the three major international tournaments this year. This Goodwill Series will not only further develop their skills but also help toughen up the players mentally in our quest for the crowns," ani Tan.

Ang RP team ay sasabak sa Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Men’s Championship sa Abril, Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Men’s Championship sa September at sa Southeast Asian Games sa Vietnam ngayong Disyembre.

"Things are looking brighter for the Philippine Basketball now that we have the support of both the PBL and the PBA. With their support, hopefully we could achieve our long-term goal, and that is, to qualify for the Olympics," dagdag pa niya.

Makaraan ang Goodwill Series, sinabi ni Tan na ang koponan ay agad na sasailalim sa mabigat na training para sa SEABA championship.

Inihayag din ni Tan na plano ng BAP na magkaroon ng international exposure para sa RP team sa buwan ng Hulyo na karamihan ay sa European tournament sa Italy.

"We’re currently arranging that possibility, but we’ll have to make arrangements with the UAAP and NCAA since it may most likely run in conflict with their schedules. We still have to confirm with our partners in Italy," sabi pa ni Tan.