What it failed to achieve in the NCAA last month, Lyceum hopes to get the job done this time when it sees action in the PBA D-League under the banner of Zark’s Burgers Jawbreakers.
Coach Topex Robinson and the rest of his wards, led by reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player CJ Perez, will be chasing glory as Jawbreakers when the D-League opens Jan. 18 next year.
Lyceum is coming off a breakout campaign in NCAA Season 93, going 18-0 in the elimination round. But the Pirates also got swept in the finals by the San Beda Red Lions.
“We’re not thinking about redemption but more of improving ourselves,” said Robinson during the team launch on Thursday at Zark’s Burgers branch in Taft Avenue, Manila. “It’s a new journey for us and we’re very excited to continue our quest. Hopefully, we can achieve what we failed to do the last time out.”
Zarks owner Commie Varona said his decision to partner with the Lyceum squad stemmed from the similarities he sees with his company as a fast-rising casual dining burger chain and Lyceum as an emerging NCAA power.
“This time, we want to associate our brand with winning,” said Varona whose team won just one game in its debut in the Foundation Cup last season. “As we take our brand to the next level, we also want to align our basketball team to the direction of our brand.