UCBL comes under wraps on Sept. 7

With an intact roster and an inspiring stint in the PBA D-League, reigning Universities and Colleges Basketball League champion Centro Escolar University remains the team to beat in the second season that opens Sept. 7 at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque City.

CEU mentor Efren Garcia said yesterday he is aware other teams look at them as the barometer since they are the reigning champion and a finalist in the last Foundation Cup of the D-League.

They embrace that challenge as he urges his players to focus their attention on the UCBL where seven other teams will attempt to dethrone the Scorpions.

“We’ll try to treat each of our games like a championship game, and we’ll try to do everything to win backto-back championships,” said Garcia in a press conference at the H2O Hotel of the Manila Ocean Park.

“Of course the pressure is always there, but we’re coming in prepared. I don’t believe that we’re fatigued. I told the players, our hearts should never get tired in winning,” he added.

Garcia said 10 of his players who competed in the last D-League are returning, including 6-foot-6 Rodrigue Ebondo, a player capable of putting up 20 points and 20 rebounds every game.