Tatlong mahuhusay na manlalaro, sina Dominic Uy, Fil-Am Jason Neil at ex-pro Jessie Cabanayan ang hinugot ni three-peat La Salle Champion coach Franz Pumaren upang dagdagan ang bilis at eksperyensiya para sa layuning makarating sa semifinal round.
"Last conference was a good experience for the boys to adjust to the glamorous style of the PBL. We’ve made adjustments and I guess we’re now better prepared for the battle," ani Osaka coach Franz Pumaren.
Sisikaping punan ni Cabanayan ang puwestong nabakante ni Mon Jose Uy at si Neil naman ang inaasahang tatabon sa pagkawala ni BJ Manalo na may ACL.
"Si BJ, puwede na sanang maglaro. Kaso two weeks ago, bumalik uli ang injury niya and it will take him another six to eight weeks to recover," paliwanag ni Pumaren.
"But this team is much better now. Most of the guys have adjusted to my system. They know the basic rules how I handle the team. Cabanayan filled up the need for a good pointguard and the big guys are still playing solid games," ani Pumaren.
Aasahan ang ibayong performance mula kina William Wilson, Magsy Magsumbol at Alvin Castro na nagpakita ng consistency sa isang linggong CBL President’s Cup sa kaagahan ng buwang ito.
Nagpamalas naman ng mas magandang laro sina Adonis Sta. Maria, Bernzon Franco at Nelbert Omolon kasama sina Michael Gozum at Salvador Ramos.
"Our stint in the CBL was a good tune-up. Medyo physical ang laro and we had complaints about their officiating. Anyway, I’m expecting something much better from the team and we’ll try to do our best to get at least into the semifinals,"dagdag nito.