Everything’s set for the RP-Australia Goodwill Games as the Powerade-Team Pilipinas collides with the taller Motolite-Australia Great White Sharks Friday at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

National coach Yeng Guiao said the goodwill games, which will serve as the RP squad’s tune up for upcoming international tourneys, will help them learn how to win future games.

“This series will be a point of discovery for us,” Guiao said in a report posted on PBA.ph. “We will make our adjustments based on what we see in these tune-up games.

The opening match-up between the two teams will be Team Pilipinas’ first public appearance. Game time is at 7:30 pm.

“We’re a little rough around the edges, considering our limited time together, but the competitive fire is there. What we’ll learn here will help us win in the future,” said Guiao.

For his part, team captain Asi Taulava said they will have to raise the level of their play to be successful in their international goal.

“We can’t think that how we play in the PBA is good enough. The PBA is good but we have to play great basketball now. Also, we have to be unified as a team through thick and thin, and we have to support each other,” said Taulava.

‘We’re here to help’

Meanwhile, members of the Motolite-Australia Great White Sharks said they will wear their game faces to help the National achieve their goal.

“We've come here to make a good spectacle,” said Australian playing coach Bruce Bolden during and interview at ANC’s Hardball. “We’ll make sure we play hard and help them prepare for the games they need to win and qualify.”

The 6’9” Bolden, who was a former National Basketball League MVP, said that from what he’s heard, the RP Team will try to compensate their lack of size through speed and athleticism.

“Pressure and fast-paced,” he said of the RP squad. “I think that will suit our guards. We've prepared for it.”

Their team’s starting guard Eban Hyams said the goodwill games will be a great opportunity for both teams.

He added that they will try to force the Nationals to their brand of play.

“We try to make them play our style of basketball. We've got big guys who can run up and down, we've got guys who can shoot, we've got guys that are athletic… This is a good opportunity for us and the Philippine National team as well,” said Hyams.

Australia will be led by Bolden, 6'7" Graeme Dann, 6'10" Anthony Susnjara and 6-4 Eban Hyams.

Backing them up are Townsville Crocodiles duo 6'7" Brad Williamson and 6'3" Michael Cedar, and bench players 6'5" Tony Lalic, 6'9" Goran Veg, ABA stars 6'7" Terry Amir, 6'7" Leslie Coe and 6'11" Sami Tsegay, and 6'3" rookie Mark De’Riviere.

Powerade Team Pilipinas has Taulava, assistant team captain Kerby Raymundo, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mick Pennisi, James Yap, Arwind Santos, Gabe Norwood, Sonny Thoss, Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger.