But instead of fretting, LBC Batangas coach Nash Racela has found a way to make up for the absence of its former center and lead the Blades to an all familiar place–the finals.
"Romel’s absence gave us a lot of problems this conference," said Racela, who steered LBC Batangas to the 2001 national title over RCPI Negros. "But when we started to work hard, put up a collective effort and trust each other more, everything just clicked."
Indeed, Racela has made a scoring demon out of the thin but slippery Jeff Sanders, transformed a stone-handed and slow Chris Corbin to something of an inside force and created something out of the 6’6" Jason Cuevas.
Also Alex Compton has transformed himself from a scoring machine to a Jason Kidd-type of player while Tony Boy Espinosa and Ralph Rivera have remained steady with their usual heads up plays.
But despite these factors, Racela said they would enter the best-of-five MBA first conference finals series versus the Slashers as, surprisingly, the underdogs.
"We’ve grown and learned a lot this conference but we’re still the underdogs," said Racela.
Racela explained that RCPI Negros has a lot of championship experience with three Southern Conference crowns.
Add to that several key players who have the ability to create havoc on both ends of the court. RCPI Negros has also taken in mentor Joshua Villapando, who brought in a system that glued the Slashers together.
"Negros is more methodical this year because of coach Villapando. It also has (Jose) Francisco and (Carlo) Espiritu in its fold, both of whom are dangerous both in offense and defense," said Racela.
Of course, there are John Ferriols, the league’s maiden season MVP, and Reynel Hugnatan, the hero in RCPI’s pulsating escape victory over the Professional Davao Eagles in their knockout playoffs in the South.