INTO THE LEAGUE
KCS-Mandaue introduces team to play in the Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup
THE KCS-Mandaue City has introduced the team that will do battle in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, which is slated to tip off this April.
Coached by champion head coach Mike Reyes, the team of team owner Ricky Verdida will roll out a formidable roster bannered by several former standouts of the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) champions Southwestern University-Phinma as well as former pro Alfred Batino.
The team was introduced to the media on Friday afternoon at the San Remigio Pensionne Suites. Gracing the event was the league’s secretary-general Marvin Caro and technical head Rey Cañete.
Also present was Verdida, Reyes, team manager Ritchie Cesa and several of the team’s players such as the Bataan Risers’ Joseph Nalos and Bernie Bregondo, Cesafi Most Valuable Player Shaquille
Imperial, former Cobras forward Dyll Roncal and Cebu City Mayor’s Cup MVP, Steve Castro.
Verdida said that even though his team is new to the commercial basketball scene, he and the rest of his players and coaches would give it their all to compete.
“The VisMin Super Cup is a big league and we’re grateful to have been invited. There are plenty of teams that are formidable so we will just work hard and give it our best,” said Verdida.
Reyes, who steered SWU-Phinma to the Cesafi crown back in 2019, said the first step would be to build the team’s culture.
“It’s a big task trying to build the team’s culture. As we go along, we can start to identify what kind of team we’ll come up with,” said Reyes, the brother of former national team head coach Chot Reyes.
Reyes said the VisMin Cup would serve as a goal for players from the Visayas and Mindanao region to aspire for.
“This can inspire lots of players from the VisMin area. In the past, you had to go to Manila to be known. This can be a vehicle for more players to be seen and known in the basketball scene,” Reyes added.
The players also expressed their excitement for the updedicated coming league.
“We’re thankful that there’s a VisMin Cup. We’re eager to play since almost one year na wa nagduwa (with no games),” said Nalos, a crafty player who currently plays for the Bataan Risers in the MPBL.
Imperial also said he is excited to learn from his more experienced teammates while Roncal is thrilled for the exposure the players would get from this tournament.
Although not official pending a contract signing, also set to be on KCS-Mandaue are two-time former Cesafi MVP Enrico Llanto, Zachary Huang, Rhaffy Octobre, Josue Segumpan, Monic Soliva, Francis Luigi Bercede, Phil Mercader, Gileant Delator, Junel Tansio and Vincent Minguito. /