Wide open race looms in Nokia D-League finals

MANILA, Philippines – Not one team is heavily favored as the Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League national finals will determine the best 16-and-under team in the country starting today at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Smart-Manila, Health Solutions-Laguna, Santos Petroleum and Energen Davao will dispute the national crown of the tournament supported by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corp.under the auspices of the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas headed by Manny Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala. The games are free to the public starting today up to Saturday.

Although it is by habit that most teams look to Smart Manila as the team to beat, coach Edmundo “Ato” Badolato, also San Beda juniors coach, was quick to downplay his team’s chances.

“We are not as prepared as the others since most of our players are also suiting up for other leagues aside from the team. Although what’s going for us is that the players are well-conditioned for the finals,” Badolato said as his team will be bannered by Baser Amer, Dave Moralde, Kyle Neypes, Aljon Mariano, Roldan Sara and Russel Escoto.

Badolato said Energen-Davao is the top contender with nine of its 18 players forming part of the Davao team that lost to the NCR team in the recent Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban City.

Energen coach Eldy Cunanan admitted his team is cohesive enough but said that unfamiliarity with his team’s rivals will be the biggest hurdle in the finals.

“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, who will rely on players like Van Adam Abatayo and Daniel Sumalinog, among others.

Santos Petroleum under coach Bing Conlu is not too positive on its chances as top big men Orly Pelopero and Francis Donahue are now scrimmaging with collegiate teams University of the East and Nationa University, respectively. The team is a contender, considering that it pulled the rug from under tough Cebu squads like Daisy Condensada and BMEG Experts.

“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.

Judging from the North Luzon finals, a team that can actually equal the mettle of Smart-Manila is Health Solutions Laguna. Coach Jun Tiongco may be familiar with most Smart-Manila players, but has yet to measure up against Santos Petroleum and Energen Davao.