Never say die meets grit and grind as the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)-led Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) squad BreadStory ties up with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the ongoing Aspirants’ Cup.
The landmark agreement makes the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) toughest squad as the Gin Kings’ affiliate team in the country’s top-tier semi-pro hoops league.
Barangay Ginebra’s alternate team governor Alfrancis Chua, who also serves as LPU’s team consultant, expressed his full support for the squad backed by Gerry’s Grill, Frabelle Corporation, and official outfitter World Balance.
“Not only do I support LPU’s basketball program, but I believe in BreadStory-LPU’s system and I believe in their fighting spirit. Plus, I think this will be for the good of the Barangay Ginebra squad,” said Chua.
Chua also saw the opportunity of shaping future talent from the amateur ranks, similar to the D-League’s previous powerhouses that eventually elevated their teams and their top-rated players into Asia’s oldest pay-for-play league.
“It’s a stepping stone for all of the players of BreadStory, but it will take time before they will make it. For sure, the players of BreadStory and LPU will learn a lot in terms of experience and hopefully they will make it in the PBA,” he added.
Coach Bonnie Tan, on the other hand, saw that the partnership with the PBA’s fan-favourites will further boost the image of LPU’s basketball program, which produced the likes of league mainstays Chico Lanete and Gilas Pilipinas guard Gary David.
”The D-League is a different league altogether. The competition is tougher, the players are already ripe for the PBA, and it’s perfect for the players to boost their confidence and their level of competitiveness on the court,” he said.
University of Santo Tomas hotshots Kent Lao, Louie Vigil, and Eduardo Daquioag joins LPU’s National Collegiate Athletic Association stars led by Dexter Zamora, Wilson Baltazar, and Season 90’s top defensive player Joseph Gabayni in their quest to become the new D-League champion.
For more information, visit the BreadStory LPU’s Facebook page at http://facebook.com/BreadStoryPirates to learn more about the team.
