The KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue City has bolstered their roster with the addition of defensive guard Ping Exciminiano, who head coach Mike Reyes says, he would depend on in their upcoming campaign in the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on April 9 in Alcantara.
The 6-foot Exciminiano was recently signed to a brand-new contract by the TNT Tropang Giga after he went through a grueling rehabilitation process because of a torn Achilles. Although he has a live contract with TNT, the Tropang Giga management has given him permission to play in the very first professional basketball league in the south.
This bodes well for Reyes and the rest of the KCS-Mandaue City squad that is still trying to round into form with the league’s tip off just a month away.
“The challenge now is our discipline on defense,” said Reyes, a veteran tactician steered the Southwestern University-Phinma Cobras to the Cesafi title in 2019.
“Daming bad habits on defense,” he added.
The presence of Exciminiano, who played for Alaska for six years before moving on to Rain or Shine, is sure to help on that end. As will Gryann Mendoza and Alfrancis Tamsi, both of whom are products of the Far Eastern University.
“The main reason I chose Mendoza, Tamsi and Ping kasi confident ako that they will be able to execute defensively,” shared Reyes who is also hoping he could snag Yutien Andrada, a 6-foot-5 big man who was recently relegated to the free agent list by the Alaska Aces.
Reyes shared that Andrada is currently waiting on the results of the PBA Rookie Draft before making a decision. Should he join KCS, he would be joining a talented and physical frontline manned by Bernie Bregondo and Rhaffy Oktobre. (JNP)