RP team’s US trip in peril

The Philippine team must meet today’s deadline in paying the registration and tournament fees worth $5,000 or the Nationals will miss the chance to compete in the 2005 Global Hoops Summit in Las Vegas where they could play the Chinese, Korean and Qatar national teams.

At press time yesterday, there wasn’t yet certainty whether the team can pay the fees and raise the total amount of no less than P2 million needed for the US trip which is a major part of coach Chot Reyes’ training program.

"I have no back-up plan. This will be a big setback in our preparation for the FIBA-Asian championship if we miss this tournament," said Reyes.

"This is the only tournament where we can play China and Korea before the FIBA Asia championship. Ang idea ko laruin sila in as many games as possible, para mawala ang awe ng mga players natin sa kanila," Reyes added.

If the Las Vegas trip pushes through, the Nationals will also experience playing against the NBDL All-Stars and a team featuring NBA free agents. The tournament is slated July 16-21 at the COX Pavilion inside the UNLV campus.

Reyes’ plan is for the RP team to compete in the Global Hoops Summit before having its stints in the Jones Cup in Taiwan in late July then in FIBA-Asia championship in September.

Members of the national pool not playing in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup finals are to compose the team to the Global Hoops Summit. After the San Miguel-Talk n Text finals, Jimmy Alapag, Willie Miller, Yancy de Ocampo, Dorian Peña, Dondon Hontiveros, Nic Belasco and Danny Seigle banner the team’s campaign in the Jones Cup.

"I don’t see other way for us to play China and Korea before the FIBA-Asia championship. Dahil sa Jones Cup, hindi kasali ang China. Ang Korea naman, junior team lang ang entry doon," said Reyes.

The national coach said they have cancelled scheduled training trips to Argentina and Australia for this US journey.