Rico to replace Kerby; RP vs India

Rico Villanueva will replace injured Kerby Raymundo in the Philippine team roster when the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup kicks off Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Villanueva, Red Bull Barako’s hard-rebounding center, was earlier excluded from the lineup after missing several national team practices due to his commitment with the Thunder.

But he was re-activated and called to duty by Reyes yesterday after PBA commissioner Noli Eala had spoken with Red Bull coach Yeng Guaio and explained the predicament.

"Doctors had told Kerby not to risk playing daily games so we had to make a decision," said Reyes.

The Philippines takes on India at 6 p.m. following a brief opening ceremony.

Other inaugural games pit Iran against defending champion Lebanon at 12:30 p.m., Kuwait against Syria at 2:45, and United Arab Emirates against Jordan at 8:15 p.m.

Reyes welcomes the absence of a scouting report on India.

We’ve absolutely no idea and that’s good," Reyes said. "We like to play ourselves in a position where our ability to adjust and adapt will be put to test. The India game is a perfect opportunity."

Meanwhile, I.R. Iran, powered by tall, talented young players, is tagged as one of the strong title contenders in the tourney.

Bannering the team is promising seven-foot-four Jaber Rouzbabahani Darrehsari who’s tagged as the next important Asian cage superstar. Only 18, he was one of the few Asians invited to join the NBA camp last year.

The other "Iranian Towers" to watch are 6’8 Hamed Sohrabnejad, 6’7 Aydin Nekkhah Bahrami, and a couple of 6’5 — 25-year-old Mohammed Samad Nikkhahbahrami and Alireza Honardoust.

Completing the team are Mehdi Kamrani, Kamran Jamshidvand, Hamed Afaghe Eslamieh, Saman Veisi, and Behzad Afradi.

Reinforcing the team are 6’2 Andre Doran Pitts and 6’7 Lorenzo Daynard Hall.

Iran will open hostilities against defending champion Lebanon at 12:30 p.m.