Newcomer Pilipinas Super League (PSL) announced Tuesday that the municipality of Roxas, Zamboanga Del Norte will serve as the host of its inaugural conference slated to start on March 18.
And the reloaded Roxas Vanguards are pumped up to play in front of their home crowd.
“Malaking motivation ito sa amin na ‘yung team namin ang venue sponsor ng PSL ngayon,” said head coach Alvin Grey.
Grey got to keep the core of his team from the last league they played in, the South-based regional pro league Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.
Leading the returnees is Kentoy Segura, a sharpshooting guard who got multiple Chooks-to-Go Manok ng Bayan of the Game award in VisMin.
Also coming back is a rejuvenated Embons Bonleon who found his confidence back, thanks to Grey’s usage of him.
Completing the returnees are Levi Dela Cruz, Nick Abanto, Mel Mabigat, Marlon Basco, Jon Lee Valin, Bobby Mandreza, and Wawa Templo.
“Malaking bagay na intact pa rin ang team kasi pinakamahalaga sa amin ‘yung chemistry namin,” said Grey.
Only Cyrus Tabi, Marlon Monte, Jaymar Gimpayan, and James Martinez were the ones who did not return.
Replacing them are new additions Jeson Delfinado, Justine Serrano, Jerick Nacpil, Oliver de Guzman, Shan Vesgas, and Ivan Jose.
With the influx of players coming in, Grey sees them as important pieces that can further solidify the composition of his team.
“Inaasahan ko na mas maganda ang magiging laro namin dahil sa mga new additions namin sa team,” said the veteran head tactician.
And with a month to spare before the PSL opens its first conference, the Vanguards have already hit the ground running.
The squad has been in Roxas since Monday and is ramping up its preparation to make a statement in the league’s first conference.
But Grey is the first one to admit that the road to the coveted championship will be hard with teams also filled with veterans and young guns.
“Gusto namin mag champion pero kailangan namin paghirapan ito, yan ang sabi ko sa mga players ko.”
