By Rey Joble

YENG Guiao and his all-pro national team will finally get their baptism of fire when they battle a group of Puerto Rican players in a five-day exhibition series from Feb. 21 to 25.

This will be the first in a series of tournaments the Philippine quintet will be joining in preparation for the 2009 Fiba Asia Men?s Basketball Championship in China.

The team from Puerto Rico will be a selection of players that would most likely come from their professional league.

?I still have no idea who the players we?re going to face,? Guiao told Standard Today. ?But this will be a great opportunity and a good test for our team.?

Guiao said that he has continuously conducted a weekly practice for the other members of the RP Team.

?We have ran at least five patterns. It?s a system that will involve everybody on the floor. We tried to avoid isolation plays. Instead, it involves more ball movement, which is one of the most important ingredients in international basketball,? said Guiao.

Aside from the Puerto Ricans, Guiao?s RP five will battle the Smart Gilas squad handled by Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman.

Guiao, who also coaches Burger King, once met Toroman in another exhibition match that ended up in a deadlock, 95-all.

?It?s hard to gauge them for just one game,? said Guiao on Toroman?s team. ?Perhaps, the only good thing I can say right now is that he has culled the best amateur players to form up a squad. Other than that, wala na.?

Guiao?s RP five will play in four tournaments in five months, which include a strong tournament in Indonesia, a stint in the William Jones Cup tournament, a pocket-event in the Middle East and a much-awaited participation in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association.

From the list, it?s the Champions Cup in Indonesia which tempts Guiao the most.

?Someone recommended to me that the Champions Cup is a strong tournament and this will serve as a fitting preparation for the RP Team when we participate in the Fiba Asia Men?s Championship in September,? said Guiao.