The PBA has kept its doors open to Gilas Pilipinas if the national squad wants to join the league as a guest team as it gears up for major FIBA tournaments lined up in the middle of the year.

Gilas Pilipinas will compete in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament – both in June.

Unlike the previous proposal of the national team having a chance to win the Philippine Cup title, however, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said it might only see action in a limited number of games.

“They will probably play 8 or 10 games” or even fewer, Marcial said in Filipino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

“We’ll see. It depends on their practices,” he added.

Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin previously said the national team had plans to play tuneup games in Australia and New Zealand.

But with strict travel restrictions preventing the Nationals from training abroad, the PBA might be the most viable option to expose its all-cadet crew to serious competition.

Playing organized basketball will be crucial for Gilas Pilipinas as it goes up against formidable opponents in June.

The Philippines will face longtime tormentor South Korea in the Asia Cup Qualifiers twice and will tangle with world No. 5 Serbia and No. 19 Dominican Republic in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

If the situation permits, the PBA is willing to include the national team in the race for the All-Filipino crown.

“We want them to compete as a regular team and have an opportunity to win the championship,” Marcial said.

Gilas Pilipinas currently trains at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. – Rappler.com