MANILA, Philippines - Ascof-Lagundi (formerly Pharex) hopes to nail the big one when it battles Excel Roof at the start of the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.
With eight holdovers from last year’s runner-up squad, coach Carlo Tan remains confident of the Pascual Laboratories-owned squad’s title chances in the country’s premier amateur league.
“I have eight holdovers of last year’s team and at least seven new faces, so we’re still trying to fit each one to our basketball system. Hopefully, things will run smoothly in time for the opener,” said Tan.
However, Ascof-Lagundi, which lost to Oracle Residences in their best-of-five title series that went the full route, is expected to encounter tough challenge with Excel Roof, which is equally determined to come out strong in its debut in the 2 p.m. game.
Clashing in the other match at 4 p.m. are Cossack Blue and another newcomer in Fern-C. Games will be aired starting at 3:30 p.m. on Basketball TV.
Cobra Energy Drink, led by UE’s Paul Lee and Ateneo’s Erick Salamat and Jai Reyes, launches its campaign against AddMix-Adamson on Thursday while Pharex-B collides with Agri Nurture.
Built around the core of NCAA champion San Sebastian College, Excel Roof hopes to dish out the form it showed in stunning the fancied San Beda College in the NCAA championship.
“They have what it takes to challenge everybody and they are fresh from winning the NCAA crown, so it’s a plus factor for them,” said Tan.
Jimbo Aquino, who emerged as the NCAA Finals MVP, is expected to lead the charge of Excel Roof along with Calvin Abueva and streak shooter Josh Vanlandingham – a former Hapee Toothpaste star.
The UE Warriors, meanwhile, will backstop Cossack Blue as part of their preparation for the coming UAAP season.
Fern-C, on the other hand, will be made up of stars from different collegiate leagues led by reigning NCAA MVP John Wilson of Jose Rizal University.