Kings coming to test RP 5

The back-to-back-to-back Australian club champion Sydney Kings are flying in to play the national pool on May 9 and 10 in a tune-up series that could decide coach Chot Reyes’ final lineup for the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup tournament here starting May 29.

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala said Kings chief executive John Overs confirmed the three-time National Basketball League (NBL) titlists’ arrival in an overseas phone call the other day.

The PBA had the option of bringing in a Canadian selection instead. Canada coach Leo Rautins offered to fly in a 12-man roster led by veterans Martin Keane, William Njoku and Kevin Jobity and backed up by rising stars Ryan Wright of UCLA, Jevohn Shepherd of Michigan, Jeff Ferguson of Missouri and Mike Smart of Carleton University.

But Reyes said if the national team plays in the Las Vegas Pro-Am Summer League on July 6-15, it could arrange to face Canada on the way to Nevada as the Philippine Airlines route includes a Vancouver stop.

Besides, the Kings are used to playing FIBA rules and boast a solid track record as a champion team. The Canadian squad is just being assembled and made up of stars not familiar with each other.

Eala said the Kings will plane in from Singapore where they are scheduled to see action in a mini-tournament.

"The boys are raring to show the progress we’ve made especially so that San Miguel Corp. has thrown its full support and confidence in us with the decision for the team to carry the colors of a potential best-seller, San Mig Coffee," said Reyes.

San Mig Coffee Super Instant 3-in-1 coffee mixes is the first and only coffee mix brand with three unique blends–mild, original and strong. It is the product of a joint venture between San Miguel Purefoods Co. Inc. and Singaporean partner Super Coffeemix Manufacturing Ltd.

San Miguel Corp. president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang is the manager of the Philippine San Mig Coffee team.

The Kings made their NBL debut in 1988. They’re coming off three straight championship seasons under Australian national team coach Brian Goorjian, a four-time NBL Coach of the Year awardee.

Kings assistant coach Bill Tomlison said, "I’ve been to see games in the Philippines and it’s played in a very up-tempo style of game."

The Kings mainstays include 6-2 Portland Trail Blazers draft pick C. J. Bruton, 6-10 national team center Brent Wheeler, 6-4 rookie sensation Luke Kendall, 6-8 Ben Knight and 6-8 Graeme Dann.

Bruton, 29, has played in the NBL since 1994. He once led the Indiana Hills varsity to the US National Junior College Championships and has played in the Continental Basketball Association and the International Basketball League. His father Cal, known as the "Black Pearl," was a long-time NBL import and is a league Hall of Famer.

Last season, Bruton averaged 16.3 points and hit 42 percent from three-point range for the Kings.

Reyes welcomed the Kings’ arrival and said the national pool will be severely tested by the Australians.

Eala said Goorjian has agreed to conduct a one-hour clinic on May 10.

The national pool will be split into two teams for the Kings series.

Reyes said the national pool still has a lot to learn before becoming competitive at the Asian level. The recent Iran series provided several early lessons, he added.