MANILA, Philippines?A Harbour-Philippine team reinforced by a mix of young and seasoned talents hopes to represent the country in the 30th William Jones Cup in Taiwan on July 10 to 18.

But the squad still needs to get the approval of tournament organizers, who are expected to announce their decision within the week.

?They want a PBA team because it will bring in the Filipino crowd in Taiwan,? explained Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero in Tuesday?s PSA Forum at Shakey?s UN Avenue branch.

?But we think that our national team is equally entertaining and popular, and equally great as the PBA teams.?

An RP team under coach Chot Reyes that was then training for the Olympic qualifier in Japan saw action in the Jones Cup last year. The PBA All-Star squad drew the huge OFW community in all its games, and organizers were naturally hoping for the same Filipino support this time.

Among the players eyed to boost the all-amateur national squad are 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar?the former Ateneo de Manila University center recruited by a US NCAA Division 1 squad, Fil-Am Rob Reyes and at least four PBA players.

?We?ll invite Japeth, we?ll contact him,? said Romero.

Jason Castro, the three-time Philippine Basketball League Most Valuable Player, is expected to spearhead the squad before suiting up for the Singapore Slingers in Australia?s National Basketball League.

?Technically, he?s already committed to the Slingers, but we asked him if he could play one more tournament for the national team,? Romero told the forum sponsored by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Shakey?s, Accel, Brickroad gym and Aspen Spa and MedCentral Medical Clinics and Diagnostic Center.

Aguilar moved to Western Kentucky University following his Final Four stint with the Blue Eagles in the 2005 UAAP.

The 6-foot-5 Reyes, who suited up for the Batang Pier last year, is expected to rejoin his old team.

Four to five PBA players will also be tapped to beef up the nationals.

?We?ll get players from the three teams that will be eliminated early in the PBA,? said Romero, who graced the forum along with Castro and Batang Pier teammate Solomon Mercado, team manager Erick Arejola and official Albert Tirona.

The squad will also try to tap anew Hapee?s Fil-Am sensation Gabe Norwood, who helped power the Harbour-Philippine Team that captured the gold in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.