Filbasket will have a foreign guest team for its inaugural pro season starting on March 15.
Kuala Lumpur Aseel is part of the 12-team field with its players composing the core of the Malaysian Men’s National Basketball Team.
Also part of the squad are players from club team NS Matrix.
League founder Jai Reyes is glad that his league will be able to help Malaysia in its buildup for the 31st Southeast Asian Games this May.
“It’s not often that a league here in the Philippines gets the honor of hosting a national team,” said Reyes.
Making this all possible was Jeff Viernes, who is the head coach of Malaysia’s Men’s National 3×3 Basketball Team.
“We would like to thank Jeff Viernes for making this possible as he is coaching the 3×3 national team of Malaysia,” expressed Reyes.
For Nueva Ecija head coach Jerson Cabiltes, having a national team in the competition would only bring up the level of play in the upstart league.
“As a coach, I’m excited for the challenge of facing a national team,” said Cabiltes.
“We are hoping that we can learn from them and, as well as, help them for their upcoming campaign in the SEA Games. We are looking to give them good games.”