DAVAO City basketball team, bannered by Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD), will begin their training this week for the upcoming Davao Regional Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet slated March 19 to 24 in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
HCCD head coach Nestor "Tating" Sorrosa, in an interview with SunStar Davao Sunday, January 29, said they will just finish the ongoing leagues in the city to avoid conflicts in their practices.
"I also want the athletes to finish submitting their requirements in their classes," Sorrosa said, adding that the Davraa-bound players will be disqualified if they have two failing grades.
Sorrosa, however, said HCCD's Vince Petdeo Cuajao, Emiliano Escalera, EJ Paquibot, AJ Alloso, Vence Malero, Prince Silva, Joshua Reyes and Ricky Ruales will be joined by Ateneo de Davao University's Axel Doromal and teammate Josh Barrientos, Ford Academy of Arts forward John Kelvin Amora and Davao Jones Academy's Kent Santillan.
"We also invited Ateneo's Francis Escandor but they declined the offer due to personal reasons," Sorrosa bared.
The multi-titled coach added that he is also eyeing Atenean Marion Angeles should anybody from the current roster fail to submit their requirements.
Sorrosa said will focus on speed training as well as improving stamina considering that majority of his players leaned on their speed.
"We will still apply the run-and-gun strategy since it is the most effective way to use the athlete’s strength," he said, adding that CorJesu College of Digos, Tagum and Compostela Valley are among the tough teams in the regional meet.
Sorrosa recalled that HCCD last won the regional meet in 2014 and that they will try to redeem themselves this year.
"My main goal is to get the gold in the Palarong Pambansa. Otherwise, reaching the finals will still be an honor," Sorrosa said.