Instead of having his favorite drink, the multi-titled mentor is expected to lock himself in his room to decide who will officially make up the 12-man team that will try to win back the basketball gold medal in the 24th SEA Games in Thailand.

Right now, the team is composed of 15 players – most of them from the PBL. There used to be 16, but former pro Alex Crisano was dropped from the team earlier.

Baculi said Crisano’s papers could not be completed in time for the SEA Games, so team officials, led by Harbour Center owner Mikee Romero, decided to pull him out of the team to avoid complications at entry point.

Baculi has until Thursday to name his team during the general managers’ meeting.

"I don’t have a celebration since it’s going to be my judgment day. I have to decide who will make up the team," Baculi said. "Of course, it’s going to be a tough decision but I have to be firm in selecting who can help the team most."

Baculi said he will meet first with Romero and other officials, including PBL Commissioner Chino Trinidad, before announcing the official lineup.

Though only12 players are allowed to play, team officials are bringing all 15 players to Thailand.

Except for one or two players, Baculi’s team is already complete. The borderline players are giving him a quandary.

He said he is looking for that one quality that could help the team when the going gets a bit choppy, a player who can be pulled from the bench and deliver.

This is why all 15 players are going to Thailand. He might find the missing ingredient during the short trip to Bangkok.

Making the trip are Jason Castro, Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu, Beau Belga, Tantan Fernandez, Al Vergara, Chad Alonzo, Jeff Chan, Erick Rodriguez, Boyet Bautista, Patrick Cabahug, Erick dela Cuesta, Eugene Tan and Allan Salangsang.

Meantime, all major stakeholders in basketball showed up during the send-off luncheon hosted by the PBL to members and coaching staff of both men’s and women’s squads yesterday.

Words of support poured in for both national teams.

Romero, who was seated beside POC President Peping Cojuangco Jr., guaranteed a gold medal.

"On behalf of the men and women’s teams, hindi tayo mapapahiya. The 90 million Filipinos can expect that we will bring home the gold medal," Romero said.

POC president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, chairman Cecilio Pedro, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Officer In-Charge Sonny Barrios, Toyota Balintawak Board member Gil Angeles, San Mig Coffee counterpart Chito Loyzaga, Christian Tan and Ateneo’s Junjun Capistano, who represented Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Manny Pangilinan, also wished the teams well.