MEMBERS of the national cadet team training for two major international tournaments later this year will return to the Inspire Sports Academy bubble in Calamba after a more than three-week break because of strict health protocols.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) program director Tab Baldwin told BusinessMirror on Friday that the players will again undergo tests for the virus before resuming training, which was halted last March 30 because of the enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region Plus area.
“We have to go to our testing protocols. As soon as everybody is cleared, we will start training,” said Baldwin, who expects more than 20 players to attend the camp although the SBP has yet to announce the final list.
The team will see action against South Korea and Indonesia in the third and last window of the Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in the Clark bubble in June as well as in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament set from June 29 to July 4 in Belgrade, Serbia.
SBP President Al Panlilio, according to Baldwin, is also expecting 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto to join the bubble a month before the Clark tournament.
Among those expected at the bubble are William Navarro, Jaydee Tungcab, Matt and Mike Nieto, Isaac Go and Justin Baltazar and naturalization candidate Ange Kouame.