Blades ready to release Adducul

This time, Romel Adducul may finally get his release papers.

LBC Batangas yesterday said it is willing to release the 6-foot-6 slotman, who had signified his intention to leave the Blades following his aborted bid to join the PBA.

"We want Romel to stay with us in LBC Batangas but if he wishes to be traded, we can’t do anything but to release him," team official Dino Araneta told The Star yesterday.

Araneta, now the man at the helm of the Blades, said he would meet with Adducul and his agent Ed Ponceja to straighten things out and put their demands on paper.

"We have yet to decide if we will keep Romel or not but we’re still awaiting the guidelines from the commissioner’s office before we decide on this matter," he said.

Meanwhile, Cebuana Lhuillier has tapped Francis Rodriguez as its new coach in an attempt to bolster its chances in this year’s MBA fifth season tentatively set to unfold April 6.

Cebuana Lhuillier team owner Jean Henry Lhuillier made the announcement Thursday night through a letter to the commissioner’s office.

"We’re happy to announce that the Cebuana Lhuillier management has hired Francis Rodriguez as our new coach starting this year," said Lhuillier.

"We have faith in his extensive experience in the coaching field and we hope his coming will help us in our campaign this year," he added. — Joey Villar