Villanueva or Reavis
to replace Hatfield

BY NOLI CORTEZ

NATIONAL coach Chot Reyes will do a delicate balancing act after getting confirmation that Fil-Am forward Rudy Hatfield will not be able to play for the national team in the FIBA-Asia tournament in July due to his coming wedding.

Hatfield, who returned to Manila from the United States last Wednesday evening, and Reyes were set to sit down yesterday afternoon, but sources close to the two said the cager definitely cannot suit up for the FIBA tilt set July to early August.

Reyes is expected to choose Hatfield’s replacement from alternates Enrico Villanueva of Red Bull, Romel Adducul of San Miguel Beer and Rafi Reavis of Ginebra.

In a text message yesterday, Reyes said he has yet to personally talk with Hatfield.

But Alaska coach Tim Cone, one of the RP team consultants, said Villanueva may be the likely choice, although Reyes’ assistant, Jong Uichico, said it would more likely be Reavis.

"Kapag nakuha pa kasi si Villanueva sa national team, dalawa na silang malaki ni (Mick) Pennisi na mawawala sa Red Bull. Masyadong mabigat na kawalan na iyon para sa Red Bull," explained Uichico.

Uichico, coach of recently-crowned Philippine Cup champion Ginebra, said his team is already bracing for the return of Hatfield and losing Reavis to the national team.

"Masaya kami na nandiyan pa rin sa amin si Rudy. Pero malaking bagay pa rin sa amin si Rafi," said Uichico, who has already loaned Mark Caguioa and Jay-jay Helterbrand to the RP Team.

The 6-foot-8 Reavis is set to return to the country over the weekend after undergoing treatment for a shoulder injury in the US.

Hatfield was among the original choices for the RP Team along with Talk N Text’s Jimmy Alapag, Asi Taulava and Renren Ritualo, SMB’s Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros, Alaska’s Tony dela Cruz, Air21’s Ranidel de Ocampo, Purefoods’ Kerby Raymundo, Pennisi and the two Ginebra guards.

While the 6-foot-4 workhorse could suit up for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association championship in late May, he cannot play in the FIBA-Asia tilt since the tournament will overlap with his wedding with fiancée Bethany that has taken a year to plan and set up.

"Tatamaan talaga iyung wedding ni Rudy," confided Uichico, who was in constant communication with Hatfield while the latter was in the US trying to find out if the wedding could be postponed.

The FIBA-Asia, a regional qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is set until Aug. 5, running right smack with Hatfield’s wedding set approximately in the same weekend.

"Hindi bale sana daw kung silang dalawa lang. Pero apektado pati mga imbitado and reservations," said Uichico.

Having Hatfield suit up for the SEABA is also pointless, said Uichico.