Perlas Pilipinas coach Haydee Ong yesterday said the Philippines got the green light from Fiba Asia to play in the continental meet set in Bangkok on Oct. 27 to Nov. 3 after Lebanon was removed from the tournament.
Kazakhstan took the Level I slot of Lebanon, which was suspended by the Asian basketball body early this year, allowing the Philippines to secure a seat in Level II.
China, Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei and India also belong in Level 1, where the top three finishers earn tickets to the 2014 Fiba World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Philippines is grouped with Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and North Korea in Level II.
“We’re quite optimistic against our Southeast Asian opponents,” said Ong, who said there are 17 players in the pool. The list will be trimmed to 12 by the end of the month.
Ewon Arayi, Joan Grajales, Chovi Borja, Melissa Jacob, Bernadette Mercado and Caasi Tioseco comprise the core of the team. Other members are Fria Bernardo, Cindy Resultay, Lalaine Flormata, Analyn Almazan, Denise Patricia Tiu, Joy Tolentino, Angel Ortega, Juvy Andaya and Janel De Castro.