“This Mapua team will be stronger than last year” – Coach Atoy Co
19 June 2015
Mapua coach Atoy Co thinks there is now way to go but up for his team that finished last a year ago. Actually, he was thinking of way, way up.
Co is brimming with confidence nowadays after getting several veterans to return–Josan Nimes, Mark Brana and Andretti Stevens–and a defense-minded African import in Allwell Oraeme to beef up a team that is out to make a big splash in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament unfolding on June 27 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
“This team will be stronger than last year so I’m a little optimistic of our chance this season,” said Co in Filipino.
Nimes and Stevens were scracthed off the roster last year due to variours injuries while Brana had to forego last season due to academics but they will come into the season eager to make up for lost time.
Nimes should provide the offense that was a little sporadic for Mapua last year, Stevens the added defensive punch from the backcourt and the jump-shooting Brana brings some needed muscle inside. Oraeme, for his part, should provide what the Cardinals lack the past seasons–an intimidating defensive presence who could match up well against San Beda’s Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun.
And Oraeme was quick to display what he can do with an impressive performance in the pre-season.
These four will join a Mapua team already stacked with talents like CJ Isit, Exeqiel Biteng, Raphael Layug and Justin Serrano, who were all seasoned in a tumultuous campaign a year back.
Mapua is also coming off a topping a tournament in Cebu where it lorded it over some of the top schools from the Cesafi.
“We’ve learned a lot from the pre-season and we did well in some of the tournaments we’ve participated,” said Co, who is hoping to steer the school to its first title since winning it all 24 years ago.
“The only problem we’re seeing is how well we could adjust as the long season progresses. If we could adjust well, we have a strong chance this year,” he added.
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