CENTRO Escolar University clashes with last conference’s runner-up Che’Lu Bar in the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Derrick Pumaren took over from coach Yong Garcia and looks to steer the Scorpions back to contender status after missing out on the semifinals for the first time since the 2014 Foundation Cup.
CEU is also parading a new import in Cameroonian center Gilles Oloume, replacing long time slotman Rod Ebondo, who had graduated from the school.
It will be a big test for CEU in the 1 p.m. game as coach Stevenson Tiu and the Revellers are motivated to redeem themselves after last conference’s heartbreak, with Jeff Viernes returning to the fort.
Go for Gold guns for win No. 2 and the early lead when it takes on AMA Online Education at 3 p.m.
The Scratchers are coming off a confidence-boosting win over Batangas, although coach Charles Tiu admits he is still working on team chemistry, saying the win was mainly because of the players’ individual talents led by James Martinez.
“At least, may talent than none at all. Pero hindi kami makumpleto sa practices eh,” he lamented. “What we need is more practice time to familiarize each other with each one and we just have to overcome that.”
AMA, on the other hand, is hoping top overall pick Owen Graham performs better as the Titans try to avoid dropping further down the cellar.
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