Tribu Sugbu set for NBC return

After missing the National Basketball Conference first conference from March to July this year, Tribu Sugbu is bracing for NBC return come the second conference set from September to November.

This was confirmed by Tribu Sugbu team owner Lito S. Gillamac, who will venture in partnership with former Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Jonathan Guardo this time.

"We want Tribu Sugbu's return a big hit in Cebu. We want to have a big impact so that the Cebuanos follow the NBC games and support Tribu Sugbu," said NBC secretary-general Tito Palma, who is set for a meeting with Gillamac and Guardo this Tuesday at the City Sports Club-Cebu.

After the meeting, Palma said they will call for a press conference to announce some developments emanating from the league.

Tribu Sugbu won the inaugural season of the NBC in 2004 but was dethroned last year by its South Conference neighbor Ozamiz Cotta, who went on to make history as the first back-to-back champions ever of the NBC.

Before its layoff this year, Tribu Sugbu topped two of the three NBC pre-season games staged in Antipolo and in Valencia. It settled for second place behind North Cotabato in the Pagadian leg helf from January 11-14.

As of the moment, Tribu Sugbu coach Al Solis is now in the process of completing his line-up. He said it will be a lean, but mean roster composed of Randy Sevilla, Gaylord Santos, Alex Cainglet, Vergel Abelong, Marvin Mercado, Kim Calo, Don Yabut, Miguelito Ducay, Doroteo Almacin and last year's CESAFI MVP Mark Ababon of the UV Green Lancers who later made it to PBL under the banner of Granny Goose Tortillos.

In a press statement, Guardo confirmed he considers thoroughly the idea of joining the NBC.

"We are studying the merits of joining the league and how it can help the company," said Guardo, the chief executive officer of Osaka Iridology and Arthro.

"I still haven't decided on Tito Palma's proposal, but we will come up with the final decision next week," said Guardo, who is quite impressed with Palma's running the Community-based league since its inception three years ago.