Despite big win, RP Lhuillier open to changes — coach

The RP Cebuana Lhuillier team gave a depleted visiting Italian team a lesson in international skirmishes — don’t go to war if you’re not prepared.

At the receiving end of criticisms for its losing game in a pre-season NBC tournament, the very same team somehow vindicated itself with an explosive 89-25 victory over the Pirelli club team from Italy.

The national squad employed a run and gun international brand of play that had the bigger but less skilled Italians out-run, out-rebounded, out-hustled, and totally outplayed.

Head coach Boyzie Zamar, who admitted that before the game his objective was just to stay close to the supposedly superior European team but when he sensed the opportunity, decided to go all out and show the fans what the present team is capable of doing.

"We were surprised because we expected them to be strong with good shooters and playing the European standard of play, and our players, which included Fil-Am Kelly Williams who played very well, were all raring to go all out and prove themselves, and you saw the results," said Zamar.

But even with the impressive and confidence-building victory by the team, Zamar reiterated that the team is still open to changes to make it even better as they have been doing in the past.

"We certainly welcome PBL players and from other leagues as well, who would like to be part of the national team, we just want to emphasize that everyone has to play his heart out for the team, what we need is a total effort by all basketball stakeholders," added Zamar.

He also said he was assured by the BAP that it is sticking to the program and will send the team to the SEABA and the SEA Games.

"I am guaranteeing that we will win the SEABA championship. For the SEA Games, it is not a matter of whether we will win it but rather by how many points we will win," said the national team mentor who has been getting pledges of support from other people.

He was also elated by the fact that Cebuana Lhuillier has reiterated its full support for the team as he was given the assurance by sportsman-businessman and national team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier that despite all the challenges and difficulties, Cebuana Lhuillier will be behind the team.

RP Cebuana Lhuillier may also get a chance to play against the other visiting team, the national team of Iran and Zamar welcomed the opportunity to test his team at every opportunity.

"I am thankful to coach Chot Reyes for the support he has been giving us, we really need this kind of exposure to toughen our boys," concluded Zamar.