PREPARATIONS for Team Pilipinas' campaign in the FIBA World Cup takes shape shortly after the officially drawing of lots takes place on March 16 in China.
Coach Yeng Guiao said the kind of training the national team will undergo hinges on the result of the draw and the countries with which the Philippines is going to be bracketed in the Aug. 31 to Sept. 15 meet.
"I think everything in preparation for the World Cup will have to be planned or thought of after March 16," said Guiao, who, along with the entire Team Pilipinas coaching staff and all of the players who suited up for the squad during the entire FIBA World Cup qualifiers, were honored by the PBA in a short, simple ceremony during Sunday's PBA Philippine Cup in Antipolo.
"That's a little less than two weeks from now. After March 16, then I think we can already set up some meetings to put up a time schedule, timeline for the preparation of the national team for the World Cup."
In the recent PBA Board meeting, the league politely turned down Guiao's plan to have Gilas Pilipinas compete in the Jones Cup prior to seeing action in the world meet since the annual cage tournament in Taipeh will run smack to the league's season calendar.
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Instead, the board proposed to hold friendly games or pocket tournaments involving teams from countries which are not bracketed with the Philippines.
The Board likewise, doesn't see fit to have naturalized player Andray Blatche to see action as import in the mid-season Commissioner's Cup due to what Guiao refers to as 'some technical issues.'
The national coach understands where the PBA is coming from.
"Ako naman I always open myself up to a win-win solution. I don't want naman na ang PBA ay mag-sacrifice to the point where we're almost losing a conference or we're almost losing the purpose the other 12 teams were organized, which is to provide year-round basketball entertainment for the public," said Guiao.
"There should be a balance where we can serve the purpose of preparing for the World Cup and at the same time, not to disrupt the PBA's schedule too much. They've already sacrificed as it is."
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For the meantime as Guiao await the drawing of lots for the World Cup, his attention is on the campaign of NLEX in the ongoing Philippine Cup.
The Road Warriors currently carry a 2-4 record for ninth place, just outside the top eight teams that will advance to the quarterfinals.
After almost a month-long break, the team returns to action this Friday against defending champion San Miguel.
"Ang iniisip ko ngayon yung NLEX muna," he said. "So we're trying to prepare for a hard game against San Miguel." (RG)
