MANILA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Basketball Association's Philippine Cup is set for a two-week break starting on Thursday, in support of the Philippine national basketball team's qualifying campaign for the FIBA World Cup.
"There's no turning back in our support for the national team. I did say the PBA would give its all-out support to the national team," said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
There will be one final match at Manila's Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday before attention turns to the national team's preparation and participation in the sixth and final window of the qualifiers, according to Marcial.
The season-opening conference will resume on February 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Known as the "Gilas Pilipinas", the Philippine national basketball team is currently preparing for its last two must-win games against Qatar and Kazakhstan respectively.
The national team is currently fourth in Group F with five wins and five losses. However, only the top three teams from Groups E and F are assured of places at this year's FIBA World Cup in China.
The side will be boosted by the return of former NBA player Andray Blatche, who returns to the fold after having served a three-game suspension.
"I think he already gets what we want to do. He has a very good understanding of the system," said head coach Yeng Guiao, adding that the U.S.-born player likes the Philippines' style of play and can get used to it very easily.
The team will leave for Doha, Qatar on Saturday to face their hosts on February 21, and will then travel to Astana to prepare for their match against Kazakhstan three days later.
