CAN defending two-time champion Diliman College and fancied Centro Escolar University, toughened up by its PBA D-League stint, live up to their lofty billing as the teams to beat in the PG Flex Linoleum-UCBL presented by Vespa Season 5?
Blue Dragons coach Rensy Bajar and Scorpions counterpart Chico Manabat hope so.
“Maganda iyong preparations namin. May two imports kami na dumating, isang early na nakapag-PBA D-League and iyong isa na late na nandito na the past two months. So, iyon siguro ang big shoes to fill in from coach Derrick Pumaren and coach Jeff Napa (former CEU coaches), iyon talaga ang binu-build nila sa CEU,” Manabat said yesterday in the league’s season launch at the H20 Hotel in Manila.
“Pero bagong players ang dinala ko dito and sa system nagbu-buy in naman sila. Hopefully, excited din ako na makapaglaro kami this season sa UCBL. Iyon ang tinitignan ko talaga and marami akong matututunan sa mga good coaches dito,” he added.
Bajar is convinced his wards have their work cut out for them in the league’s return after a three-year hiatus due to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
“Halos lahat kasi kailangan talaga lahat pagdaanan mo iyan,” Bajar said. “Iyan iyong nakikita kong malaking challenge to us this coming season but we will try our best to play hard.”
UCBL president Franklin Evidente is elated with the comeback of the tilt also backed by Cafe France, Maruyama Tarpaulin, Gerry’s Grill, Aprilia SR GT, Dr. Edwards Sterilized Drinking Water and Fontactiv Complete Adult Nutrition Milk.
“We’re both happy and fortunate to be back and start all over again. We want to start fresh and as we’re here for the long haul. We could have not done this without the trust and confidence of our member schools,” Evidente said.
“This is a new start. It’s anybody’s game in the UCBL with our seven teams including a newcomer. This will be a very good league for us,” added tournament director Horacio Lim, joined by PG Flex Linoleum owner Nelson Guevarra and Vespa general manager Bimbo Fontanilla.
