2014/15 National Cup runners-up Reading Rockets will be looking to go one better this year when they start their campaign at home to National Basketball Development League new-boys Oxford City on Sunday afternoon (5pm tip-off). The game will be the first competitive one for the Berkshire outfit as last weekend’s National Trophy game away to London Lituanica was postponed only 48 hours before tip-off. Rockets did play in a friendly game against BBL Championship outfit London Lions and narrowly lost by 69 points to 75 to give Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces team some much needed game time ahead of the season opener.
In speaking ahead of this Sunday’s National Cup match-up, Pena Garces is looking forward to potentially another healthy cup run but knows early season games against lower division teams are always tricky encounters. He said,
“We were disappointed not to play last weekend but we have had some really competitive friendly games leading up to this Sunday’s cup game so I am happy with our preparation and with how the team is coming together in these first few weeks.”
“We must not take Sunday’s game lightly; yes we must be confident because we are working hard and are the higher division team but we must also be respectful of an opponent who has nothing to lose and will fight for everything and that doesn’t have any pressure. We don’t know too much about Oxford City but at this stage that is good because myself and the players can focus on ourselves and what we have been working on in preparation for the start of the season.”
“We did really well in last year’s National Cup and sadly lost in the final to the better team on the day so we would really like to have another chance of getting to the final in this competition so the hard work for us starts on Sunday in the first round.”
Rockets go into Sunday’s knock-out game against Oxford City with one main injury concern. American D’Montre Edwards has been sidelined for the past 10 days after picking up a hamstring injury at the defeat to Plymouth Raiders in the first pre-season game. The 23 year old forward is touch and go ahead of this weekend’s cup clash and will be a game time decision for Head Coach Manuel Pena Garces who will have to decide which one of his import players will suit up as the Berkshire outfit may only play one against a lower league team.
Rockets will start their home campaign at the John Madejski Academy due to a lack of availability at their current home venue of Rivermead Leisure Complex. As there is limited space at the club’s temporary home venue, space is limited and any supporters wishing to watch the game must pre book tickets by emailing tickets@readingrockets.co.uk at a cost of £5 each.
To keep up to date with all the very latest news and information, check out the Rockets website (www.readingrockets.co.uk) and twitter page @rocketsreading.
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