The nationals, who are preparing for the 2005 Southeast Asian Games here, will figure in a round robin series with the Laguna spring of NBC president Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla and Gov. Teresita "Ningning" Lazaro, Mayor Freddie Tinga’s Forward Taguig and expansion team Parañaque Jets of Vice Mayor and actor-tv host Anjo Yllana.
RP-Cebuana Lhuillier’s participation in the week-long event was finalized recently after assistant team manager Danny Francisco and head coach Boysie Zamar met with NBC secretary general Tito Palma. BAP secretary general Graham Lim made the RP team’s stint possible.
The pre-season series will unwrap on April 5 at the Rizal Memorial coliseum. Other venues are C.P. Tinga gym in Taguig and the P.J. Lhuillier Complex in Las Piñas.
The country’s premier regional cagefest will kick off its second season on April 23 in the north and April 27 in the south, respectively hosted by the Jets and the Cagayan de Oro Stars of former Gov. Antonio Calingin.
The RP team will feature Dennis Madrid, Ricky Melencio, Ryan Reyes, Samigue Eman, Mel Latoreno, Jerry Cavan, Eder Saldua, Sammy Ayodele, Allen Patrimonio, Edric Ferrer, Noy Javier, Nino Canaleta, Christian Luanzon, Dondon Villamin, Jeff Bombeo, Pep Moore, Ricky Calimag and Egay Echavez.
The team’s volunteer coaches are Bay Cristobal, Aboy Castro, Bert Flores, Jerry Cordinera, Billy Reyes and Johnny Tan. National coach Chot Reyes is the consultant.