ALLAN THE MAN

The Philippine national men’s basketball team struts its wares for the first time this year as Gilas Pilipinas takes on Netherlands in the opener of a series of friendly games on Thursday in Tallin, Estonia.

The Filipinos are taking on the Dutch at 10:30 Philippine time, with delayed telecast over TV5 on Friday at 4:15 p.m.

Defensive ace Marc Pingris has changed his mind and said that he will suit for the Philippine national men’s basketball team in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship if given the chance.

Pingris announced his decision on Wednesday in a statement.

Calvin Abueva is set to play in his first games overseas for Gilas Pilipinas and he can't hide his excitement as he prepares to measure himself against international competition.

On a six-hour layover in Istanbul, Turkey as Gilas Pilipinas makes the trip for a pocket tournament in Estonia, the Alaska forward told Spin.ph he looks forward to showing the world what Pinoy basketball is all about.

Top prospects Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario will not be around when their names are called in the PBA Rookie Draft, and will also miss out on the chance to show off their athleticism in the PBA Draft Combine.

Tautuaa and Rosario, pegged to be the first two picks in Sunday's Rookie Draft, joined the Gilas Pilipinas national team when they left for Estonia on Monday night for a training camp ahead of its campaign in the FIBA Asia Championship.

Former De La Salle University standout Almond Vosotros believes his performance in the 28th Southeast Asian Games last June went a long way towards boosting his stock ahead of the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft.

Vosotros was part of the Gilas Cadets team that won gold, beating Indonesia in a competitive final, and wowed fans with his impressive outside shooting.

ABS-CBN Sports on Monday unveiled the schedule of the first round of the UAAP Season 78 men's basketball tournament, along with the UAAP Cheer Dance Competition.

The UAAP Cheer Dance Competition will be held on October 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena, ahead of the first round showdown between traditional rivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, which is scheduled for October 4, also at the MOA Arena.

Members of the Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine national men’s basketball team, are currently on their way to Estonia for a pocket tournament this week.

But before getting there, the team has to endure a five-hour layover on Tuesday in Istanbul, Turkey.