MANILA, Philippines -- Don't be surprised if UAAP Finals MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini sports a Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team uniform on the team's KFC-PBA Philippine Cup debut on Friday.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said the 6-foot-6 Al-Hussaini would join the Gilas practice at the Blue Eagle Gym today and stressed that a deal with Ateneo's prized center is close at hand.

“We are close to coming to terms with Rabeh,'' said Eala, who added the SBP has also been negotiating with UE's Paul Lee and Junmar Fajardo of University of Cebu, two other collegiate players on coach Rajko Toroman's wish list besides Al-Hussaini.

Ending his collegiate career by leading the Blue Eagles to back-to-back UAAP championships, Al-Hussaini could provide Gilas a deeper frontline rotation along with the 6-foot-11 CJ Giles and 6-foot-10 Japeth Aguilar.

Toroman's other options in the paint are Aldrech Ramos (6-6), Jason Ballesteros (6-7) and Maggie Sison (6-7). The Serbian coach hired as project director of the SBP is also hoping to land the 6-foot-9 Fajardo on his frontline.

“`We have began talking to Paul Lee's handlers. As for Fajardo, we're still waiting for the Cesafi (Cebu School Athletic Foundation, Inc.) season to end,” said Eala.

Smart Gilas, a long-term program launched by the SBP to bring the country back into the Olympics, will make its PBA debut against Burger King on Friday.

“We are optimistic they will support the national cause and the Smart Gilas program,” said Eala, referring to Al-Hussaini, Lee and Fajardo who were included in the PBA stint of Gilas.

As soon as the three players get on board, Toroman earlier said the national team would almost be complete with the naturalization of Giles, a former NBA draftee, the only pending matter for Gilas.

Composed mostly of collegiate stars, the three-year Gilas program is initially focused on the 2011 Fiba-Asia Championship, which offers the lone Asian slot to the 2012 London Olympics.