9th Crown Prince Invitational Championships: NBC-Selection confident

The National Basketball Conference-Selection, composed mostly of Cebu-based cagers, is confident they can put up a good fight in the 9th Crown Prince Invitational Championships set August 25-30 in Haad Yai City, Thailand.

The team composed of some players from NBC's defending champion Tribu Sugbu, Hapee-Dewfoam Mantawi and Laguna-Spring Cooking Oil also got an added boost yesterday with Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano pledging financial support for the team.

Mayor Ouano's pledge was made during the team's courtesy call yesterday, which was also witnessed by Hapee-Dewfoam Mantawi team owners Jack Huang, Dewey Chuachoy, Jr. and NBC Commissioner Tito Palma.

The team's participation in Thailand is mainly financed by its respective teams.

The team already held practices together, which coach Jun Noel said is doing well.

"So far, so good. We can do it there," said Noel.

The country's representatives in the Thailand event will be competing against Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Hongkong and host Thailand.

Noel added that although they don't have scouting reports with the other competing teams, they will still be able to see the other squads days before the start of the competition.

The team is set to leave the country on the August 23.

Prior to its departure, the said squad will have a final tune-up game in Manila to be arranged by NBC on Monday.

Neil Rañeses, who was also named earlier to the team, might not be able to join the trip.

Coach Al Solis said, Rañeses' fate will be dependent on the outcome of his negotiations with the Coca-Cola squad, which picked him during the PBA drafting.

The coaching staff had named Dennis Daa as replacement of Rañeses.

Composing the NBC Selection are Tribu Sugbu's Lowell Briones, Rex Mangubat and Doroteo Almacin, Mantawi's Ardy Larong, Maui Huelar, Danny Capobres and Laguna's Melchor Latoreno, Donn Rez Villamin, Marlon Kalaw and Val Domingo.