Luisita focuses on self first

BACOLOD—With the hype again falling on its age-old matchup with Canlubang, Luisita has chosen to look at one direction when centerpiece Senior Championship division action in the PAL Interclub gets off the ground Thursday at tough-as-nails Marapara here.

“We’re not concerned with Canlubang, we’re not concerned with anyone else,” non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova told the Inquirer as the Luisitans practiced for the final time at the tree-lined layout designed by the great Luis “Golem” Silverio.

“What we are concerned about is ourselves,” added Hechanova in downplaying the focus that his charges have in their repeat bid. This, despite the Sugar Barons fielding in a new face in Pem Rosal in order to get back at the Luisitans.

“We have a strong eight-man team and everyone’s playing well,” Hechanova went on as former pro Eddie Bagtas returns for another tour of duty in spearheading the Tarlac-based crew. “And it would be up to the team to continue playing that way [during the tournament].”