WITH several of its players likely to be tapped, the UAAP is throwing its support behind Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers in November.
Executive Director Atty. Rebo Saguisag said the league will take a break to give way to the nationals’ games against Jordan on Nov. 10 and Saudi Arabia three days later, both on the road.
“Tigil muna kami ng kaunti even if alanganin siya,” Saguisag said last Tuesday in the online Philippine Sportswriters Association forum. “I think may lalaruin pa sa second round so instead na sakto iyong break ng first round to second round, we will start a few games ng second round then stop for that Nov. 7 to 15 window.”
“Ang last playing date namin is Nov. 6 and we resume on the 16th,” he added.
The likes of 6-foot-11 naturalized player Ange Kouame of Ateneo, University of the Philippines’ Carl Tamayo, and Kevin Quiambao of La Salle are part of the national team training pool for the next window of the no-bearing qualifiers since the Philippines has qualified for the World Cup next year as co-hosts with Japan and Indonesia.
The 85th UAAP season opens shop on Oct. 1 with the centerpiece cage wars.
The defending champion Fighting Maroons face the Green Archers in the match kicking off the league’s second straight season this year at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Host Adamson University tangles with University of Santo Tomas in the other game.
Saguisag said the UAAP is also out to back the country’s co-hosting of the world showpiece.
“Open naman ang communication lines namin with the SBP and the FIBA Local Organizing Committee. We have an ex-member of the Board (of Managing Directors), si Erika Dy who is in fact going to meet us again to prepare for the FIBA World Cup to be hosted here,” he said.
“So hindi lang iyong pag-adjust ng schedule, other partnerships whether tapping the studentry to get involved in the World Cup is also in the works. So ito iyong mga pinag-uusapan namin.”
