CENTRO Escolar University looks to make a quick rebound this 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup.
With controversies hounding the squad late in the season, Scorpions assistant coach Gabby Velasco shared that the squad are still looking for additional players to fill up their roster.
"At present, kulang kulang pa ang team namin. We're still in the process of filling in spots and conducting tryouts," he said.
The D-League opens on July 23, while CEU's collegiate league UCBL starts its season on Sept. 5.
Seven players were found guilty of being involved in game-fixing, leading to coach Derrick Pumaren dropping them from the team during the playoffs.
Still, CEU, behind Maodo Malick Diouf, made it to the Aspirants' Cup finals, bowing to Cignal-Ateneo.
Velasco shared that as far as he knows, the players are already out of the team although he is not aware of sanctions meted out by the university.
"The school is doing something with that. Wala na kami doon sa investigation ng school and they're the ones discussing kung ano yung gagawin. As far as the team is concerned, wala na sila," he said.
PBA D-League tournament director Mauro Bengua Jr. also shared that the league has yet to receive the findings from CEU's investigation. That's why as of now, they could not put anyone of the CEU players in the blacklist.
"Wala naman kaming blacklisted na players. Hangga't hindi final ang investigation nila, yung mga naglaro pa rin sa Mila's Lechon pa rin ang nandoon," he said,
Mila’s Lechon players were linked to game-fixing and the team pulled out after only four games in the 2018 Aspirants' Cup.
For Velasco, however, there's no use of crying over spilled milk as CEU eyes a fresh start this conference.
"We’re here to gauge how far is our program compared to the others. If we win, it’s good but we’re just here to continue our program," he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
