Team Pilipinas is now setting itself for a hard road ahead on its campaign to make it into this year’s FIBA-Asia tournament. 

According to a report posted on www.PBA.ph, team coach Yeng Guiao said the Nationals will have to immerse themselves into two or three two-hour sessions beginning February – maybe even by the last week of January.

"We're still in the familiarization stage," Guiao said in the report. "We're trying to get as much in without bothering the teams playing in the quarterfinals.

"But as the tournament gets closer, we have to go deeper into training. At saka by February, apat na lang ang naglalaro sa PBA. Six teams will have their players free."

Guiao is preparing the Nationals for a hard grind in the August 6-16 FIBA-Asia tournament in Tianjin, China. The competition is the qualifier for the 2010 World Championship in Istanbul, which is the national team coach’s main target.

Before entering FIBA-Asia, Team Pilipinas will have to go through the Southeast Asian Basketball Association tournament on April 2 to 6.

"As I've told the players, this is the time to do all family obligations, and to let all injuries heal. Gawin na nilang lahat ng dapat nilang gawin ngayon so they can focus on their obligation to the team when tournament time comes," Guiao said.

"We can be a little lenient with their schedule now. But as the tournament gets closer, we'll be stricter with attendance," he added.

PBA commissioner Renauld “Sonny” Barrios, meanwhile, said they are planning to send Guiao on a couple of scouting trips within Asia.

"Maybe that can be arranged since the team has very limited foreign exposure due to the tight PBA schedule," Barrios said. "Para masilip rin niya yung mga magiging kalaban. Puwede niya sigurong subaybayan pag may tournaments doon."