Harbour Centre-NU bagong partners

Wala nang nangyari sa National University Bulldogs sa UAAP basketball tournament sapul noong kapanahunan nina Danny Ildefonso at Lordy Tugade.

Pero inaasahang hindi na magiging ganito ang kwento sa susunod na taon dahil siguradong may malaking mangyayari sa Bulldogs.

Bilang pagsuporta sa "Adopt-A-School" program ng PBL, pumirma si Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero recently kamakailan lamang ng memorandum of understanding (MOU) kay NU Chief Executive Officer Teddy Jhocson Ocampo, isang kasunduang inaasahang magkakaroon ng positibong resulta.

"It’s our little way to help a team in need," sabi Romero. "NU has a strong basketball team, it has exciting players who need further polishing. That’s one of the reasons why we want to help NU."

Sa agreement, kukunin ng Port Masters, champions ng huling Unity Cup, ng ilang players na ayon kay Ocampo ay magiging kapaki-pakinabang sa NU sa susunod na taon.

"I’m thankful that Mr. Romero has selected us to be their partner in basketball. I believe our tie-up with Harbour Centre will enhance our image in the basketball community because Harbour Centre is already a proven winner," wika ni Ocampo.

"With the exposure they will be getting in playing in the PBL under Harbour’s competent coaching staff, I’m sure they will develop their self-confidence and gain maturity."

Nangako si Romero na ibibigay niya sa kanyang mga NU players sa team na sina Edwin Asoro, Jonathan Fernandez at 6-foot-5 Joseph Lingao-Lingao -- ang lahat ng oportunidad para maabot nila ang kanilang ‘full potential.’

Ngayon pa lamang, sabik na sina Romero at team manager Erick Arejola na magkaroon ng ‘future’ James Yap sa team.

"Fernandez is an excellent shooter in the mold of James Yap while Asoro is a high leaper who loves to dunk," sabi ni Romero. "Lingao-Lingao can provide help in the paint."

Si Fernandez ang isa sa top 3-point artists ng UAAP matapos mag-average ng halos 45 percent. Inaasahang gagaling pa ito sa ilalim ni coach Jorge Gallent. Bukod sa pagdedevelop ng NU players, sinabi ni Arejola na tutulong din sila sa recruitment.