KUMBINSIDO ang pamunuan at coaching staff ng San Juan Knights-Go For Gold na madedepensahan nila ang Datu Cup ng Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Nakatakdang magbukas ang ikatlong edisyon ng ligang inorganisa ni Senator Manny Pacquiao sa Hunyo 12.

Ayon kay San Juan Knights head coach Randy Alcantara, naniniwala siya na mas magiging malakas ang koponan na nabuo ang samahan hindi lamang sa court bagkus sa personal na malasakit.

Basketbolistang lumabag sa 'anti-drug program' ng NBA, suspendido ng 25 games, lugi rin ng ₱690M!

“Solid kasi ‘yung samahan ng team inside and outside the court. Of course mas lalo pa kaming nagiging inspired through the help of Senator Jinggoy and Sir Jeremy Go,” pahayag ni Alcantara sa kanyang pagharap sa media kahapon sa thanksgiving press conference na ginanap sa Café Isabel sa San Juan.

``We have kept the core of our championship team with a few valuable additions to address some areas for improvement,’’ pahayag ni Go For Gold godfather and team owner Jeremy Go.

Nakamit ng Knights, sa pangunguna nina Finals MVP Rian Michael Ayon-ayon at dating PBA players Larry Rodriguez, John Wilson at Mac Cardona, ang Datu Cup matapos gapiin ang Davao Occidental Tigers sa deciding Game Five ng final series.

Kumana rin sa koponan sina Jhonard Clarito, Carlos Junior Isit, Cedric Pelayo, Orlan Wamar Jr. at Jeff Tajonera, pumalit san a-injured na si forward Jamil Gabawan.

“I fully expect that we will defend our title. I know that it won’t be easy because a lot of other teams got stronger,’’ sambit ni Go, vice president for marketing ng Powerball Marketing & Logistics Corporation.

Inaasahan ang tulong ng mga bagong players na sina Andrew Estrella at Jessie Saitanan, kasama ang mga beteranong sina Joseph Ubalde, Joseph Marquez, Art Patrick Aquino, Lester Reyes at Mike Salvado.

Magkatuwang sina Go at dating Senator Jinggoy Estrada sa pagmamantina sa pinakabagong semi-pro league sa bansa, habang sina Chris Conwi ang team governor at team manager si Jun M. Usman.

Kasama ni Alcantara sa coaching staff sina Yong Garcia (1st assistant), Nani Epondulan (2nd assistant) at Gherome Ejercito (3nd assistant), conditioning coach Philip Lee Go, physical therapist Peter James Manigan, statistician Eric Reyes, taper Domingo Narisma, utility Jose Cuyos, masseur Joen Maderazo at coordinator Jose Carillo.

“While other teams are still in the process of finding their chemistry, I believe we have the advantage with the core of our team intact and the system already in place,’’ pahayag ni Usman.