READING Rockets play two games in three days this week, starting with a trip to Wales tonight to take on NBL Division Four outfit Cardiff City in the third round of the National Cup (8.40pm).

Manuel Pena Garces’s men then return to Berkshire to entertain Derby Trailblazers on Saturday evening (6pm) in their first home league game – at Bohunt School in Arborfield – of the 2016-2017 season.

After last Saturday’s important opening 98-79 win against Hemel Storm, Peña Garcés was pleased with how his team performed, adding: “This season we are taking a different approach to practices and games and how we are as a group.

“We are doing some great work behind the scenes and we are really happy with how the players have responded to their roles and responsibilities, as well as providing a culture that promotes learning and respect amongst each other.

“The very beginnings of this definitely showed last Saturday in our win against Hemel and I felt we took a positive step forward towards where we eventually want to be.

“It is very early on in the season so we cannot think our work is done, it is merely beginning and our time together will be really important in achieving the goals set.”

He continued: “This week is a tough one.

“We have to make a trip to Wales to play a Division Four team that can potentially be a banana skin what with it being a one-off, winner-takes-all game, before less than 48 hours later returning to Reading to take on a well-coached, well-balanced Derby Trailblazers team who have been great over the last two seasons since their promotion back to Division One.

“We will take each game as it comes, put an emphasis on the areas we want to be great in, and respect and prepare for each opponent. We are excited but we have a lot of work still to do.”

In the National Cup last season, Rockets exited the competition at the quarter-final stage when losing out to Worthing Thunder 91-80.

The Berkshire outfit has never lost to lower league opposition in a cup competition and will be hoping to keep that trend with tonight’s visit to Cardiff, a game due to be played at home, but moved to the Welsh capital with fixture congestion and venue issues not allowing this to happen in Reading.

Frustrated Rockets chairman Gary Johnson said: “It has been really difficult to try and arrange this game due to many different reasons between the two teams and it is unfortunate that our fans have to miss out on the first cup tie of the season.

"However, despite the late tip-off time, we are grateful to Cardiff City for hosting us and we will go there in the hope of advancing to the next round to give our fans enjoyment of what is a great competition for us and the town.”

Rockets go into their double header with a fully fit squad despite some illness in the camp.

A few of the Reading personnel have been suffering with cold and flu like symptoms but should have recovered in time for the visit to Cardiff.

Peña Garcés’s only selection dilemma is which of his two American players he plays against Cardiff with higher league teams only being allowed to play one import player against lower league opposition.

The Spanish play-caller will make his decision between point guard Craig Ponder and forward Chris Hooper before tonight’s game in which the three-times National Cup winners will look to start the process of adding trophy number four to their cabinet as they finally get their campaign underway.