SEABA 5 will be tested against Cebu All- Stars

"I kept myself in good shape, because once you lose it, it's hard to get it back," she added when asked about her fitness on court after 15 months out. (AFP)

The national team faces a formidable Cebu All-Star side on Sunday at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City to cap a busy, three-leg series that began in Cagayan de Oro and had stop in Lucena City. Game time is set at 5:30 pm.

And the league saved its best for last as Gilas will be going up against a team to be handled by multi-titled coach Tim Cone and bannered by two-time MVP James Yap and back-to-back Philippine Cup Finals MVP Chris Ross.

The nationals so far had their hands in dealing with the Mindanao and Luzon All-Stars, and this one against the Cebu selection is expected to be to the most daunting of the three as guaranteed by Cone.

“Our approach is that were there for a purpose. It’s not an All-Star game in our minds but were there for a purpose to get the national team ready,” said the Barangay Ginebra mentor.

“So I expect our guys to go out and play, take it seriously, and really go at it.”

Gilas is using the All-Star week, sponsored by HMR Trading, Mueller, Peak, Crystal Clear, Anako, Davco, Smart, Cloudfone and Petron, as part of its preparation for next month’s Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The May 12 to 18 tournament serves as qualifier for the FIBA Asia Cup set in August in Beirut, Lebanon.

“The PBA is committed to supporting Gilas Pilipinas in any way we can. Afterall, the members (of Gilas Pilipinas) are all PBA players,” said PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.