Athletes In Action to Play Soviets Nov. 1

Athletes in Action, the San Diego-based amateur basketball team, will play the Soviet National team at the San Diego Sports Arena Nov. 1, it was announced Tuesday.

The game--the first for AIA in the Sports Arena since moving from Orange County to San Diego--will be the second in a three-game California series. The first game will be played Oct. 30 in Sacramento and the third game will be played in the Forum in Los Angeles Nov. 3.

The California series is the first of a series of games the Soviets have scheduled across the U.S. during November.

The Soviet team, led by 7-foot 2-inch center Arvidas Sabonis, won the silver medal in the recent World Basketball Championships in Spain. Sabonis was drafted in the first round this summer by the Portland Trail Blazers.

AIA, coached by Rle Nichols, was 26-6 a year ago.