THE Davao City secondary boys basketball team aims to defend its title when the 2017 National Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa) opens on Sunday in Iba, Zambales.
Head coach Arturo "Jun-Jun" Montalban, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao on Tuesday at the Montaña Recreation and Fitness Center, said they have been preparing for their title-retention bid.
"Usual gihapon nga preparasyon parehas sa ubang national nga liga. Siyempre, dili man nimo ma-tantsa or mahibal-an kung kinsa man ang imong makalaban or unsa kadagko (We don't know who we will be up against but we continue training to prepare the team)," Montalban said, adding that Western Visayas and Central Luzon are the usual heavy favorites.
He also said that they will have to compensate their lack of height with their defense. His players are also younger by one year.
He will lean on the services of Davao City's Emar Human and Environmental College's Kevin Baste, Jayson Estefa, Jerold Medina, Thal Gabriel Dolormente, Geeson Guiawan, Marvin Alejano, Dexter Tabucawon, Joevien Tabucawon, Joevien Lapriza and Ryan Evangelista who will be reinforced by Agro Industrial Foundation College of the Philippines (AIFCP) Sailors Arnie Villanueva and Kyle Paquera.
The team will leave on Thursday, April 20, but the The Dabawenyo coach said they will practice at the playing venue before tournament proper begins.