MACAU—The lack of preparation is not stopping Blackwater Dioceldo Sy from having high hopes on his iECO Green Warriors in the Asia League The Terrific 12.
iECO, the Elite’s affiliate, is set to take on Asian heavyweights in the pocket tournament at Studio City Event Center here in Macau, and Sy believes the new team can pull off surprises.
Sy even likened the new team to the Philippine national men’s national basketball team, which was formed a mere month before the Asian Games and the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
“The problem is like Team Pilipinas—we have just formed the team and the other teams and they’re just starting to build their chemistry after two weeks,” said Sy Tuesday at Studio City.
“The other teams are seasoned and have played together for a long time but I think our advantage is that they’re just starting to train for their respective tournaments.”
PBA D-League talents from Foundations Cup champion Go for Gold make up iECO while the Elite loaned out PBA players Mark Cruz and James Sena to reinforce the team.
Former TNT import Richard Howell and sizeable forward Sam Logwood are also in the Green Warriors’ lineup.
“I think we have a good chance, we’re hoping for the best and hopefully we win tonight,” said Sy as his team takes on four-time bj League, the precursor to Japan’s B.League, champion Ryuku.
iECO will then take on Chinese giants Xinjiang Flying Tigers, a one-time CBA champion, which has Chinese national team forward Abudushalamu Abudurexiti and former NBA center Al Jefferson.
“Let’s hope for the best and hope the guys play their hearts out.”