Cignal HD plays minus a key cog as the Hawkeyes clash with surprise finalist Centro Escolar University in the 2017 PBA D-League Foundation Cup championship starting Tuesday.
So Cignal coach Boyet Fernandez said the Hawkeyes must adjust quickly without big man Raymar Jose, who left for Kuala Lumpur to play for the national team in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
“Losing Raymar during the Finals is a tough one, but we as a team understand that SEA Games basketball gold is very important to our country,” said Fernandez.
Cignal collides with CEU, which stunned erstwhile unbeaten Flying V in the semifinals, in Game 1 of the best-of-three series at 5 p.m. at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“No one expected us to reach this far,” said CEU coach Yong Garcia. “It won’t hurt if we try [winning the title] that’s why I told the players we just have to stay focused and stick to our game plan.”
And that confidence worries Fernandez even if the Hawkeyes still boast a solid lineup led by Jason Perkins and Pamboy Raymundo.
“We know that CEU is a very good team which is well-coached, and matching up with them without Raymar is a tough one,” said Fernandez.
Garcia said the Scorpions hope to pull off an upset anew behind Cameroonian big man Rod Ebondo and underrated guards Aaron Jeruta, JK Casiño and Orlan Wamar.
“We really have to bring our defensive mentality,” said Fernandez. —JASMINE W. PAYO