Energen-Davao team to beat in NBTC D-League

MANILA, Philippines - Energen-Davao is the team to beat in the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League national finals. This was the assessment of San Beda juniors coach Ato Badolato, whose team is representing Manila in the 16-and-under tournament starting Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Badolato noted that Energen-Davao is the most cohesive team in the competition since nine of its players played together in the recent Palarong Pambansa. “We are not as prepared as the others since most of our players are also suiting up for other leagues. Although what’s going for us is that the players are well-conditioned for the finals," Badolato said. Energen coach Eldy Cunanan agreed that he is managing a cohesive team but added that the biggest problem his boys will face is their unfamiliarity with their opponents. “Manila has tall players just like the ones we fought in the Palarong Pambansa but as far as ability is concerned, we can get even with them," said Cunanan. Health Solutions-Laguna and Santos Petroleum complete the casts in the tournament which will be open to the public until Saturday. Santos Petroleum coach Bing Conlu, for his part, said they have to wait until they have scouted their opponents to see if they have a shot at the title. “We haven’t seen our opponents although some of my players were able to compete against them during the Elite Camp in Laguna," Conlu explained. Even as the three teams downplay their chances of bagging the crown, Health Solutions Laguna of coach Jun Tiongco could actually pull a surprise because they are familiar with the Smart-Manila cagers. But they also have to plays heads up against Santos Petroleum and Energen Davao. -Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV