Tokushima vets head RP 5 pool

RP team coach Yeng Guiao will formally announce the composition of his national pool tomorrow with the team to meet for the first time on Monday at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

Barring a last-minute revisions, Guiao is expected to name Tokushima veterans Asi Taulava, Mick Pennisi, Kerby Raymundo, Kelly Williams, Gabe Norwood and Jayjay Helterbrand, Tokushima alternates James Yap and Ranidel de Ocampo and new hopefuls Willie Miller, Cyrus Baguio, Ryan Reyes, Arwind Santos, Sonny Thoss and Jared Dillinger to the 14-man pool.

Guiao was scheduled to return from a brief US trip last night, and is set to confer with the PBA board earlier today.

The league governors and commissioner Sonny Barriors are meeting Guiao to personally express their support to the program, which will hopefully lead the country to a stint in the World Championship in Turkey in 2010.

Expected to join Guiao and Barrios in a press conference tomorrow is former league chairman Tony Chua who has been appointed team manager of the national squad.

A reliable source said Chua is now close to sealing a deal with Yakult, making it a major sponsor of the team. Also being tapped as backers are Smart-PLDT and Coca-Cola.

Guiao left his wish list to Barrios last week before leaving for the US. Barrios then presented the list to Guiao’s advisory council for assessment and evaluation.

The feedbacks of former RP coaches Sonny Jaworski, Norman Black, Tim Cone and Jong Uichico had been sent to Guiao through email.

Uichico doesn’t think Guiao can form a better team than the one he has in mind.

Tokushima RP team coach Chot Reyes described it as “pretty solid, representing the best in the PBA right now.”

A team emissary has talked to the 14 players, asking whether they’re ready to give full cooperation to the task at hand and had an affirmative reply.

The team will compete in the 2009 Fiba Asia Championship, seeking one of three berths staked for the 2010 world championship.