Harbour Centre expects tough PBL season
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/05/2008 9:24 PM
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Without the same cast that gave Harbour Centre its fifth straight championship, the Batang Pier squad expects a tough PBL season which formally kicks off on November 8 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Former Batang Pier mainstays like Jason Castro, TY Tang, Solomon Mercado, Jeff Chan, Jonathan Fernandez, Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo and Al Vergara have already joined the pros.
Key players Dylan Ababou and Chester Taylor were lent to Magnolia-UST as part of the PBL's adopt-a-school program while veterans Alan Gamboa and Gilbert Malabanan have graduated under the league’s 25-year old age limit.
What’s left of the team are Edwin Asoro and veterans Jerwin Gaco and Boyet Bautista, returnees Rico Maierhoffer and Reed Juntilla and a group of rookies that would be relied on when the tournament begins.
"This could be a tough season for Harbour," franchise owner Mikee Romero admitted.
However, Romero, manager Erick Arejola and coach Jorge Gallent, who engineered Harbour Centre's championship dynasty, believe that the Batang Pier squad will maintain its competitive brand of play.
"Hopefully, the old spirit of the team will rub off on to our rookies. As long as the new team plays like there is no tomorrow, good things will come into fruition."
Romero, also the current PBL chairman, said the adjustment of his 10 rookies into the Harbour Centre system will be a major factor in the team's quest for a sixth straight title.
"The adjustment of our 10 rookies to the way Harbour Centre plays would determine how the Batang Pier would fare this season," Romero said.
The Batang Pier rookies coming from FEU are 2007 UAAP Rookie of the Year JR Cawaling, Mark Baroca, Benedict Fernandez, Paul Sanga and big men Riel Cervantes and Aldriech Ramos.
The rest of the newcomers are 6’5” Fil-Am Nick Stephens from Holy Name University in Oakland, UE’s Raffy Reyes, La Salle’s Bader Malabes and Peejay Barua and 6’7” ACSAT center Erik Suguitan.
