It is advertised as exhibition matches, but the new batch of National Basketball Association (NBA) Selection yesterday vowed to give Gilas Pilipinas an honest-to-goodness workout when they clash in the PLDT Home: The Last HOME Stand today and tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Former NBA Coach John Lucas, who will be calling the shots for the Fibr All-Star, said that more than putting on a show, they will try their utmost best to challenge and squeeze the best out of Gilas pool members who are preparing for two major tournaments this September.

Except perhaps for a fastbreak play, there will be no easy basket for Gilas members as the NBA stars will treat the match set at 7 p.m. like a sudden death knowing the Nationals have a tough mission.

“We have a great group of NBA stars,” said the 60-year-old Lucas, a former NBA player and coach, during a press conference held at the packed NBA Café in SM Aura, Taguig City.

“My challenge is not just about basketball but to be of help with the national team preparing for the World Cup,” added Lucas, who was with the Rockets’ James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors, San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, Damien Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers and Brandon Jennings of the Detroit Pistons.

Also included to the Fibr All-Star team in the charity event are Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Ed Davis of the Memphis Grizzlies, Nick Johnson of the Houston Rockers and Tyson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks.

The 6-foot-5 Harden is the most recognizable player in the NBA squad, having played here twice – the first in a similar exhibition game against the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas in 2011.

Included in the 2011 NBA Selection were Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Chris Paul.

Last year, Harden’s Rockets played against the Indiana Pacers during a preseason tournament dubbed as NBA Global Games. He was also here as a guest in the 2013 NBA 3X Challenge. 

Just like his previous stints, the bearded 6-foot-5 shooting guard is again looking forward to have fun on and off the court.

“It’s always good to be here, it’s my fourth time. It’s really fun to be back seeing some old faces. Also these fans are amazing,” said Harden, now a certified superstar in the NBA after he was named to his first All-First Team selection.

Impressed with the talent and courage of the Nationals, Harden expects another good game.

“They played very well as a team, they had a team to work with them and they got great skill sets,” said Harden.

Leonard, the 6-foot-9 forward who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the recent NBA Finals when the Spurs defeated the LeBron James-led Miami Heat, 4-1, received the loudest cheers from the gallery.

“I got a coach in the Spurs, he told me a lot about the Philippines. I’m really glad to be here,” said Leonard, referring to Spurs’ shooting coach Chip Engelland, who became a naturalized Filipino in 1983 and played for the Philippine Team with the likes of Allan Caidic, Samboy Lim and Hestor Calma.