The Philippine National Basketball Team, Smart Gilas Pilipinas is now preparing for their upcoming participation in the Dubai International Invitational in United Arab Emirates and the King’s Cup to be held in Hongkong.
Smart Gilas Coach Chot Reyes asked the Board of Governors of the Philippine Basketball (–foul word(s) removed–)ociation to prepare and elite team of Smart-Gilas Pilipinas players who are currently playing for the PBA Fiesta Cup.
The PBA pool will be composed of at least 20 players for the two international tournaments next year. PBA Commissioner Chito Salud have already met with Smart Gilas coach.
Coach Chot Reyes suggested the team’s preparation for the next year’s FIBA Asia Championship, which will serve as a qualifier for the upcoming 2014 FIBA World Cup.
The Smart-Gilas National Basketball team will participate in the Dubai International Invitational which will be held this coming January 10-19, 2012. During the year 2010, the Philippine Team under coach Rajko Toroman finished third in the prestigious tournament participated by Middle Eastern National Basketball Teams.
The Hong Kong Invitational on the other hand will be held this coming January 22-27, 2012 which will be participated also by some major national teams from Asia.
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud clarified also that there will be no disruptions in PBA games especially with those players who were being called off to play for the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas.
Commissioner Salud was quoted as saying that “The conditions were also clear that there will be no disruption on the schedule of the PBA and all players will play in the PBA and walang maga-absent because of the national team,” Salud stated.
