The Ombudsman Graft Busters is already practicing hard several days before the opening of the UNTV Cup Season 5 on August 29, which will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
The Graft Busters will showcase its stronger lineup – the three former professional basketball players led by the new headcoach John Kallos.
The team vows to do its best to enter the finals.
It can be noted that the Graft Busters was immediately eliminated in the first year of joining the tournament last season. This was after they failed to advance in the second round-up of the league.
Kallos replaces former Graft Busters coach Rey Quilala, who is now the team manager of the Graft Busters.
Kallos is also the head coach of the basketball teams of St. Paul Pasig and Holy Spirit, while he is an assitant coach of the Adamson Lady Falcons.
New in the line-up are two former PBA players and another from the philippine team.
6’6 Rysal Castro will play as the center. He played for Redbull, San Miguel and Purefoods in the PBA from 2003 to 2006.
Former Coca Cola Tigers MC Caseres will serve as the power forward. While Ronnie Zagala, a member of the Philippine team that played during the Asian Games in 2002, will also join the team this season.
“For me, as an import player, I’ll play one game at a time. So, if we can win in every game, we will do what should be done,” Zagala said.
“We are happy. First, is because we would be able to help a charity. This inspires us to win every game,” he added.
“We will have an Antonio Spurs-like game. Every player inside the court should be holding a ball. What’s good in our team is that we treat each other equal. I’m so excited to play in UNTV Cup,” Caseres said. “It is such an honor to be part of this league because they’re doing this for charity.”
“I’m happy to play basketball again. It is my first time to play basketball again. I am able to do what I love and at the same time I am able to help as well,” said Rysal Castro.
Team captain, Atty. Arman Sanchez hopes to address the weakness they saw in the group during the last season.
“One of our deficiencies before is the defense. We get the imports that have good defense. So, we are hoping to avoid our mistakes during the last season. Hopefully, we could mature and be a role player,” Sanchez said.
Meanwhile, the group has chosen Ombudsman’s Provident Fund as its beneficiary. It serves the agency’s retired and current employees who are in need of financial and medical assistance. — Bernard Dadis | UNTV News & Rescue
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