MANILA — Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield is elated with the thought that he might play for the Philippines in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Barefield’s name was mentioned when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) discussed the country’s upcoming title defense in the men's basketball tournament of the continental tilt on July 28 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
READ: No Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu for Gilas in Asian Games
He is excited with the possibility that he could play for the flag, calling it a wish “you always dream about.”
“I was really excited. It got sent to me early in the morning. Just excited,” Barefield shared how he first received the news, talking to reporters Wednesday after Blackwater’s 106-100 win over Phoenix at the Araneta Coliseum.
“It's something that I've, you know, I think I've said it before, but it's something that, you know, as a kid you always dream about. I've been aware of it since I was young. And so, just excited.”
READ: PBA: Blackwater pulls away from Phoenix, ends 3-game slide
Barefield hopes the stars align for him and vowed to give his best if he cracks the final roster. In the Asian Games, organizers only require passport to represent their flag, making him a potential contender for a Gilas spot.
“I'm praying for the best. I'm not sure what's going to happen from here, but, you know, I'm praying for the best,” said the Blackwater gunner. “I'm going to give it my all. Day in and day out. I'm going to try to soak up as much as I can from the players around me.”