MANILA, Philippines—A comprehensive program patterned after USA Basketball is being adopted by the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Executive director Noli Eala Wednesday said BAP-SBP is on the verge of putting up a national team organizing committee composed of officials from top commercial and collegiate leagues and the best coaching minds in Philippine basketball.

The committee will be made up of representatives from the Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, UAAP, NCAA, Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) and at least three coaches with winning traditions in their respective leagues.

Eala declined to identify the coaches but a source said former men’s team and Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes, De La Salle University’s Franz Pumaren, Norman Black of Ateneo de Manila University and Junel Baculi are candidates.

The former PBA commissioner said the organizing committee will take care of the scouting and screening of players and coaches as well as the training, funding and selection of team members for elite tournaments.

“Hopefully, this will systematize the formation of the national team,” said Eala, who will act as ex-officio chairman of the committee.

BAP-SBP competitions commission head Bernie Atienza will be in charge of the committee, whose chief aim is to develop, manage and coordinate programs for the national team.

Patterned after the structure of USA Basketball, the SBP national team organizing committee will serve as the backbone of the organization’s thrust to bring the country back in the international basketball scene.

Eala said the committee is targeting the 2010 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey and 2012 London Olympics.