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RP quintet wants to learn from Nash, Suns
The Philippine Star 03/27/2007


The RP-San Miguel basketball team, raring to catch Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns play, is working double time to secure tickets for the LA Lakers-Suns game in the NBA on April 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"That’s the plan, and the players are trying very hard to get tickets even through the Internet," said national coach Chot Reyes, who already has two courtesy of Tex Winters, assistant to Lakers coach Phil Jackson and architect of the triangle offense from their Chicago Bulls days.

To watch Nash and the Suns is what the national team is actually looking forward to, said Reyes.

"It’s not so much Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, because it’s the Suns’ game that we want to pattern ours."

The Suns are currently the No. 2 top team in the NBA, having clinched the Pacific Division title with a 52-17 (win-loss) record, next to Southwest Division pacesetter Dallas Mavericks (58-11).

The Nationals depart for a two-week camp in Carson City on Thursday as it starts its buildup for the SEABA tournament in Thailand in May and the FIBA-Asian Men’s Championship in Japan in July.

Reyes, however, added that they are also looking forward to meeting with the Lakers, currently on a five-win streak.

"We’re also trying to arrange a meeting with the Lakers through Tex but it will depend of course on the mood of Phil," said Reyes, referring to LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

The RP team’s schedule is hectic, starting at 7:30 in the morning when the Nationals leave Holiday Inn-Torrance for the short walk to the training center, and lasting up to 7:30 at night, Monday to Saturday.

The players have Sunday off.

The day starts with a two-hour skills work followed by an hour break for lunch. Next is a two-hour session for lifting weights and conditioning, a 60-minute second skills drill, capped by a two-hour scrimmage with teams from the National Basketball Development League.

Individual skills training, team bonding and the opportunity to play versus tough competition in scrimmages are what Reyes hopes to achieve for the team in the course of the two-week camp.