WITH the majority of his players returning to their school teams, Racal Motors Coach Jerry Codiñera painstakingly went through the process of rebuilding again during the in-between conference break.
With little time to prepare for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League Foundation Cup, Codiñera is convinced that it may take awhile before his remodeled roster could acclimatize to his system.
“Obviously the team is still a work in progress. Hopefully, the things we’re working on won’t diminish the guys’ enthusiasm and ability to win,” said Codiñera, keeping his fingers crossed his new team would develop into a title contender.
The initial test appeared positive.
New recruits Mac Tallo, Janus Lozada, Jam Cortez and Rian Ayonayon—playing together for the first time—made their presence felt in a 118-100 romp over AMA On-line Education last week, as Racal opened its campaign in the league’s season-ending conference on a bright note.
“It’s quite a relief. To be able to win the first game is very crucial to a team like us that overhauled its lineup,” Codiñera said.
Whether the Alibaba could build on it and sustain its momentum should be interesting, especially for Codiñera, who certainly is looking at another trip to the finals after coming close to clinching the Asprants’ Cup.
Up next for the Alibaba are the Zark Jawbreakers, who have lost their first two games against Gamboa Coffee Mix and Aspirants’ Cup champion Cignal.
A second straight win by Racal in the 10 a.m. encounter at the Ynares Arena in Pasig would earn it a piece of the early lead with idle Flying V and Batangas Team.
The other matchup at 12 noon pits Marinerong Pilipino (1-0) against Cignal (2-1), which is seeking its third straight win.
The Hawkeyes are scheduled to play six games in a span of three weeks. Cignal Coach Boyet Fernandez said they need to win all those six games to have a shot at the playoffs.
So far, the Hawkeyes have already won two.
Interestingly, Jason Perkins will be missing two games during that to attend to his studies, while Davon Potts will leave the team after completing the required seven games he need to be eligible in the coming PBA Annual Draft.
Potts will rejoin the San Beda Red Lions, the defending champions in the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association season.