NBC cagers play Japan in Taiwan bash

HUA LIEN, Taiwan – The National Basketball Conference (NBC) Selection opens its campaign in the annual Kwah Hu Cup Probation Basketball invitational tournament here against Japan at 11:30 a.m. today.

Backed by 6-foot-5 American Michael Anthony Daniel and 6-9 Australian Steven Bloom and composed of NBC’s leading performers, the RP squad is confident of doing well in the tourney.

Other members of the team coached by Boysie Zamar and outfitted by Champion are Marlon Kalaw, Don Villamin, Mar Reyes, Larry Rodriguez, Jeff Tajonera and ex-pros Nino Marquez, Marlon Legaspi, Nelson Asaytono and EJ Feihl.

The NBC cagers are bracketed in Group B with Japan, local clubs Dancin and Media and USA-Velocity Athletics.

Making up Group A are Taiwan Beer, Pu Yuan, Yulon, Kyung Hee and Malaysia.
The teams will play one round, with the top finishers clashing in the finals.

The NBC Selection will meet USA at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Dacin at 3:30 on Oct. 5 and Media at 3:30 on Oct. 6. The finals and consolation games will be played on Oct. 7.

NBC president and Spring Cooking Oil team owner Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla is confident that the addition of two quality imports “could help the team succeed after narrowly missing the finals two years ago.”

In 2005, an all-Filipino NBC squad led by Samigue Eman and KG Canaleta dropped a close decision to the Europeans-backed Joeutai in their battle for the No. 1 spot in the group.

Padilla and NBC executive vice president and Tagaytay Mayor Bambol Tolentino bankrolled the trip of the team headed by NBC sec-gen Tito Palma.