Rudy Hatfield officially out of RP national team

Barangay Ginebra star Rudy Hatfield was officially returned to his mother team after efforts to keep him in the national team failed. Hatfield is expected to suit up Sunday when the Kings start their campaign in the Talk 'N Text-PBA Fiesta Cup against Alaska Aces at the Araneta Coliseum, according to a press statement released Saturday by the league. "Due to personal circumstances as explained to this office, Rudy Hatfield has been returned by the Philippine national basketball team to his mother ball club Barangay Ginebra effective immediately," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala in the statement. "In lieu of Mr Hatfield's regular status with the national team, he has been relegated to the alternate list," added the league commissioner. Hatfield is set to marry fiancée Britanny Herr in Ireland in early August, a date that run against with the Fédération Internationale de Basketball-Asia Olympic qualifying championship in Tokushima, Japan. The FIBA-Asia event serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Hatfield was among the 12 PBA players selected by coach Chot Reyes to the all-pro RP five set to compete in two major international tournaments this year, along with Ginebra teammates Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag, RenRen Ritualo, Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Kerby Raymundo, Ranidel de Ocampo, Tony de la Cruz and Mick Pennisi. Named as alternates were Rico Villanueva, Rafi Reavis and Romel Adducul. Aside from the FIBA-Asia Olympic qualifier, the RP squad is also competing in the South East Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) championship set this May. - GMANews.TV