Newly-appointed coach Jerson Cablites of Emilio Aguinaldo College is bringing his think-tank from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League to help him make the Generals a competitive squad when it plays in Season 99 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Speaking in the Athletes’ Tribune on Monday, Cablites said Nueva Ecija first assistant coach Not Catalan and assistants Joseph Guion, Froilan Pineda and Arnold Oliveros will be with him in the hopes of holding the Generals into a unit that can challenge defending champion Letran College as well as title contenders San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde.
The Rice Vanguards head coach took over from former tactician Oliver Bunyi, who did not renew his contract with the Generals as he joined Topex Robinson at De La Salle University.
Cablites is also eyeing recruiting talented players to beef up the squad after getting Harvey Pagsanjan from University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
“We’re putting the entire Nueva Ecija coaching staff in the EAC squad along with the ones that remain in EAC,” Cabiltes said.
“We are looking for fresh talent right now from the NCAA, UAAP and even in provincial leagues.”
Cabiltes will be fighting an uphill battle with the Generals, who not only finished last in Season 98 behind a 3-15 win-loss record but lost star big man Allen Liwag as he jumped ship to the Blazers camp.
But he and his crew have proven to be bonafide winners after winning the OKbet-MPBL 4th Season over Zamboanga last year.
Cabiltes also said he will conduct tune-up games with both EAC and the Rice Vanguards to get themselves into shape.
He will also make sure to balance his time between his squads.
“A lot of tune up games will be played out because it will help the teams improve,” Cabiltes said.
“It’s all about time management. You have to have your time to both squads.”
