PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR — Zamboanga Sibugay Anak Mindanao Warriors are the lone newcomers in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge.
But their head coach Arnold Oliveros is no stranger to the type of competition the regional pro league has.
He was an assistant coach of the Basilan team that went 13-0 last conference on its way to the Southern Championship.
Consecutive games are no surprise to Zamboanga Sibugay. In fact, it will be playing for the fourth straight day later at 2:00 PM against Roxas at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here.
“Expected na namin ‘yung ganitong schedule. Before pa kami pumunta dito sa VisMin, sinabi na namin kung ano ang tema ng laro dito,” said Oliveros.
“Kapag ganitong everyday ang games, kailangan laging kundisyon sila, healthy sila.”
Despite playing for the third straight day Wednesday night, the Warriors were still able to nab the win against Kapatagan in a marathon 2OT thriller, 89-83.
And the resiliency his squad has did not go unnoticed by the head tactician.
“Fresh legs kami lagi. Kahit anong mangyari diyan, laban lang kami lagi.”
Aside from Oliveros, a bunch of his players were also veterans of the league.
Ten of the 18 players in the Warriors roster have played during the first conference for different teams.
Lester Reyes, Francis Camacho, and Jerome Pasia came from the Vanguards; Shaq Imperial, Michole Sorela, and Rhaffy October were part of Visayas Leg champions KCS-Mandaue. Meanwhile, Jan Jamon (MJAS-Talisay), Eric Bangcoyan (ALZA Alayon), Jeoffrey Acain (Kapatagan), and Due Lacastesantos (Tabogon) came from separate squads.
Newbies to the league are John Almocera, Joseph Peñaredondo, Enrique Caunan, Alfren Gayosa, Cris Dumapig, JC Foronda, Ian Albrecht, and Joco Tayongtong.
Because of his experience during the spotless campaign of Basilan three months ago, Oliveros knows how to manage his roster especially when the games are almost every day.
The teams are allowed to have 20 players on their roster. However, only 15 must be in the lineup each game.
“Ako, galing na ako dito last conference as assistant coach sa Basilan so alam ko na dapat marami kaming players para pwede makapagpalit every game.”
