The main bulk of Powerade Team Pilipinas leaves for Medan, Indonesia today, looking to polish their game in the SEABA championship in preparation for the Fiba-Asia world qualifier in Tianjin, China in August.

Team officials said the Nationals will be tested in Medan not so much by the lightweight opposition but by the system put up by national coach Yeng Guiao to be able for the teaem to play as a cohesive unit.

The Nationals are expected to dominate the four-team field and gain the No. 1 berth for the Southeast Asian region in the Asian championship in August that will determine the three teams qualifying for the world meet in Istanbul, Turkey next year.

Guiao doesn’t want his team to take the tourney lightly.

“We have a job to do, a mission to accomplish. It’s a tournament we have to take seriously and win, in a big way,” Guiao told his players in a dinner hosted by team manager JB Baylon Monday night.

Guiao considered Medan the “first big step” towards achieving the ultimate goal of making it to the Turkey conclave.

“It will be the first time for us to bond together outside of the country. The All-Star games in Bacolod and Davao allowed us to jell. This trip will help us in a bigger way,” said Guiao.

Team RP, comprised of Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Jayjay Helterbrand, Ryan Reyes, James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Cyrus Baguio, Willie Miller, Jared Dillinger, Arwind Santos, Ranidel de Ocampo and Gabe Norwood, with Sonny Thoss and Kelly Williams as alternates, fly to Medan via Silk Air with a stopover in Singapore. – Nelson Beltran