For college teams competing in the inaugural PBA D-League, which comes off the wraps on March 12 at The Arena, their participation in the newly-formed amateur caging league is a much-needed shot in the arm. “It would really help us a lot," said Adamson coach Leo Austria, whose team will beef up the Freego Jeans team.
Adamson is one of the many collegiate teams ready to show their wares in the D-League.
Austria said his team’s participation will boost their their preparation for this year’s Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season.
“The level of play in the D-League is higher than in he collegiate tournaments, so it's a big boost for the team,"said Austria. “It will give the players more confidence, as they will be challenged because there are ex-pros and Fil-Ams. They are expected to do their best," said Austria.
Austria’s fellow UAAP coach Alfredo “Pido" Jarencio said that it will give his young players a good experience to be in the D-League.
“Malaking tulong talaga ito lalo na sa mga batang players ko," said Jarencio, who will be coaching a University of Santo Tomas-bannered Max Bond Glue.
Even non-UAAP and NCAA teams chose to go to the D-League to beef up their respective college teams.
“It will certainly add confidence to our team, or for any team that is not in the UAAP and the NCAA," said Mon Jose, who is coaching Café France, which is bannered by Centro Escolar University of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU).
The PBA D-League begins with RnW Pacific Pipes taking on PC Gilmore in the opener at 12 noon. NCAA champion San Beda-backed Maynilad faces Cobra Energy Drink at 2 p.m.
While the collegiate teams admitted that participating in the D-League would be an experience for them, going deep into their respective collegiate seasons will still a different story.
“It is not an assurance that we will be in the Final Four. Other teams are also preparing so you can’t really say," said Austria, who wants to lead the Falcons to the semifinals anew.
Jojo Villa, whose University of the Philippines team will compose the Junior Powerade in the D-League, said their participation here is different than competing in the UAAP.
“We will be facing stronger, faster and bigger players, but it’s really difficult to say if we can reach the Final Four, especially since we didn’t win a game in the UAAP," said Villa, the assistant coach of both UP and Junior Powerade.
“It’s still not a guarantee to get into the Final Four, but definitely, we will be better come the NCAA season," said Leo Isaac, coach of the Arellano-led Black Water.
Reuben Terrado, GMA News TV
