After winning against the archrival Surigao Education Center and became the team-to-beat in the coming 2nd Mayor Nitoy Matugas Basketball Tournament men’s senior basketball hostilities, NEMCO coach Clint Mondano said the other day he expects the Warriors to be contenders with a roster that’s as quick and bigger than last season’s lineup.
“We’ve retained the quickness of last year’s team and added height,” said Mondano. “Now, we can play big or small. I’m optimistic of making it to the Finals again and who knows what will happen on the way to the finals? SEC is tough and they’re bringing in new players like Ellar's and Vasquez. They’re a three-peat team so they’ve got championship experience.”
Mondano said the Warriors may tap three more rookies but declined to name them.
“It’s a challenge recruiting the top high school players,” said Mondano “But I’m happy that the players are responding positively to our pitch that we don’t only offer a way to a basketball career but also a solid academic program. Our managers are offering incentives for good grades and the players realize the value of a good education.”
Mondano said nobody is guaranteed a spot in the roster. “Everyone’s battling to make the team, even our veterans,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’ve played two, three or four years with the team. We want all the guys to compete.”
Helino Francisco, 20, and JR Villaroel 21, have also been impressive at practice. Francisco is 6-1 and Villaroel 6-4. Together, they form a Twin Towers combination that Mondano said he hopes will neutralize the big man of SEC. Another rookie aspirant, Jecker Ganot, is from Mainit, Surigao del Norte and has suited up for the Agusan Institute of Technology.
“It’ll be a very competitive season,” said NEMCO Sports Coordinator Mr. Edgar Lisondra. “The Surigao Education Center crowd is very supportive and expects nothing less than a rematch. SSCT remains formidable with Cervantes. SPUS has a new player in Escatron.”
Mr. Lisondra said the Warriors will stick to Mondano’s philosophy of defense as the best offense. “The team is very fit,” he said. “They’ll do a lot of running – I expect 40 minutes of running every game and our conditioning making sure of that. If we showed a lot of spirit last season, expect the spirit to go up several levels this season. The team has good chemistry, the players enjoy playing as a unit, they like each other and they respect coach Clint. I sense a great deal of warmth within the team and that’s a positive. We’ll definitely be much more competitive with the experience from last year’s rookies and sophomores.”
NEMCO wasn’t expected to make it to a back to back last season with eleven rookies but overachieved and win the championship against SEC. Among the veterans tipped to return are 5-10 Rams Ugay, 6-0 Reymond Lopez, 5-8 Jobert Lopez, 5-9 Gerald Marquez, 6-1 Lord Toring, 5-9 Taquio Alaba, 6-0 Andro Hibaya, and 5-10 Richard Lumpay.
Mondano will continue to lean on assistants Rosbert Gesta, and JP Arong. Mr. Edgar Lisondra,is his expert adviser.