The University of the Philippines (UP) basketball game against Southwestern University (SWU) that was scheduled to take place in Iloilo City next month as part of the UAAP Goodwill Games was postponed and will be played in March. According to organizer Rodolfo Go Villaruz, the decision was made after it was revealed UP’s Kobe Paras, along with brothers Juan and Javi Gomez De Liaño, would be unavailable.
“It is for the interest of the Ilonggo basketball enthusiasts, especially fans of Kobe, Javi, and Juan,” he explained.
The three are included in the pool for the Philippine men’s national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. The first qualifying round begins on February 20
“The FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers fall on February 20, against Thailand, and February 23, against Indonesia, which are almost the same dates with our planned Iloilo trip,” Villaruz added. “National interests and service to the country must be above all more than anything else.”
Meanwhile, he also announced, another goodwill match will be held in Passi City as part of the Pintados de Passi Festival./ASC, WDJ