CENTRO Escolar University (CEU) consultant Egay Macaraya believes the Scorpions can handle the competition in the Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League.
The Scorpions will have a chance to prove Macaraya’s claim when they make their debut in the Foundation Cup today against the Wangs Basketball Couriers.
The 3 p.m. encounter at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao is a good litmus test for the reigning Universities and Colleges Basketball League champions, who are taking their act to the commercial league for the first time.
CEU takes over from CaféFrance, which is skipping the league’s season-ending conference after six seasons and one title.
“It’s management decision [not to field CaféFrance]. They want to develop CEU players for the PBA,” Macaraya said.
The majority of the Scorpions have been in the league for more than two years while playing for the CaféFrance Bakers, so stability and experience should not be an issue for CEU when it collides with a retooled Wangs Basketball.
The Couriers underwent massive retooling during the in-between conference break and are coming in with a vastly improved roster.
Also seeing action today is newcomer Marinerong Pilipino, which battles Batangas Team at 5 p.m.
Marinong Pilipino will be coached by Koy Banal, who is returning to the sideline since parting ways with Phoenix almost a year ago.
“There’s a bit of rust, but it should not be an excuse,” said the veteran mentor who will be up against his former assistant, Eric Gonzales of Batangas.
“Coach Eric is a champion coach and more or less, he knows my style. He’s been my assistant for a long time at Arellano and we go way, way back. That’s one thing where my anxiety also roots from and he knows how to lead his team and motivate his players,” offered Banal, will lean on Achie Iñigo, Julian Sargent, and veteran Mark Isip to lead the fight for the Seafarers
Ganozales, on the other hand, will be counting on Joseph Sedurifa and CJ Isit.