Picking Gomez de Liano was a risk for Revellersm, as the UP Fighting Maroon has yet to get clearance from the team’s coaching staff. But they are hoping that their gamble pays off.
“Yung coaching staff namin, may konting doubt kung papayagan ng UP.
“Siguro, preparation nila kasi may incoming players sila like [Kobe] Paras and [Ricci] Rivero, so baka ‘di payagan. Nag-usap nalang kami and sa latter part, kung nandun pa siya, we’ll pick him and tignan natin kung papayagan o hindi,” admitted Che’Lu head coach Stevenson Tiu.
“Good catch na yun, kung papayagan. Even us, nagdududa kami kung bakit walang nagpi-pick so baka may alam na yung iba na ‘di siya papayagan. We just took a chance,” he added.
If everything falls into place for Che’Lu, they will boast a formidable roster. Joining Manganti and Gomez de Liano are CESAFI MVP Rey Suerte; 6-foot-5 Fil-Am William McAloney; FEU floor general Jasper Parker; and San Beda glue guy Joe Presbitero.
These players are much-needed boosts for Che’Lu, as they will only have two carryovers from last season in Jeff Viernes and Jessie Collado.
“So far, happy kasi nakuha namin yung gusto naming players.
“Parang new team kami eh since naglalaro karamihan naming players sa MPBL. So kaya napansin niyo, na-draft namin, more than ten kasi two players lang natira namin sa team,” disclosed Tiu.
Come this season, TIu is hoping that they can finally get over the hump and win a championship after two bridesmaid finishes.
