Kailangang mahigitan ng Burger King ang kanilang pagtatapos noong nakaraang kumperen-siya.
Hindi na matatanggap pa ni coach Allan Gregorio ang quarterfinals finish sa PBL Unity Cup na magsisimula bukas sa The Arena sa San Juan.
“Quarterfinals is unacceptable to us be wan-ed the other way around now. And we want to forget the 0-3 start last conference and targeting two-to-three straight games before facing the ‘big boys’ (Hapee Toothpaste and defending champion Harbour Centre),” pahayag ni Gregorio.
Halos walang nabago sa Whoppers ni Gregorio na ipinakilala sa media kahapon sa kanilang Quezon City Branch sa E-Rodriguez.
“The team is intact so there’s no reason why we can’t improve on our quarterfinal finish the last time,” ani Gregorio. “The chemistry is there so we just have to improve it further.”
Ang team ay pangungunahan ni University of the East top gunner Marcy Arellano at former pro Mike Bravo na susuportahan ng mga ‘balik-PBL’ na sina Chris Baluyot, Abby Santos at Francis Barcellano na naglaro sa pro league noong nakaraang taon.
Ang iba pang miyembro ng team ay sina dating UP star Nestor David, Khiel Misa, Kelvin Gregorio, Lawrence Bonus, Jason Ballesteros, Mark Canlas at si Nicko Popus, na ayon kay Gregorio ay isang matinik na outside shooter ang tanging bagito sa team.
Makakasagupa ng Burger King ang dating Blu Detergent team na magdadala ng pangalan ng Noosa Shoes sa opening game bukas sa alas-2:00 ng hapon.
Kabilang din sa team sina assistant coaches Jerry Codiñera, Gino Manuel, Mark Herrera, Mark Jomalesa at Burger King Marketing Manager Chris Punsalan.
Ang Burger King ay ang dating Mail And More team. “Since our major stakeholders are into basketball, we decided to reposition our marketing strategy and that’s the reason why we are in the PBL right now. We at Burger King and the PBL share a common vision which is to help the sport grow further and also help nurture the talents of these young men,” ani Burger King President Raul Nazareno. (Mae Balbuena)