Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
IT WILL be no easy feat for reigning champions D'Barkadz to defend their YOU.C1000 Cup title.
They will open their title defence against TK Teahouse in Group A on Wednesday night at the BBA Court in Batu Bersurat.
It will be much different as they only managed to retain three players from their championship winning side from last year.
"We have to dig deeper on both ends of the floor. It will be a very tough series considering and given the fact that all eyes are on us," said D'Barkadz coach Robert Rubillar in an interview with BruSports News.
"I know other players have shifted to other teams to make them more competitive including our former players, who were lured to jump ship," he added.
"In my own opinion, other teams are well prepared and very competitive to dethrone us this year. Their rosters are far more superior than us," continued Rubillar.
Jomarie Corpuz, Reynald Gali and his son Patrick Gabriel Rubillar are the only players retained.
Absar Salih Amin, who was part of their Low San Cup Line up, remains on the roster.
When asked about the team's gelling, Rubillar replied: "We always have good team chemistry and I think that is our main strength.
"All players are well rounded and can fill up all positions on the floor at any given time on both ends.
"I think it's not a secret and all other teams are aware of that, and they are all prepared to counter," he added.
Rubillar also highlighted some of the ideals for the team that can lead them to success.
"Respect to one another, all are main players and role players at the same time in this team," he said.
"No ego shall prevail for us to be solid as a team including good mindset and teamwork.
"It is fundamental and basic to have that in a team sport, not just in basketball," added the D'Barkadz coach.
When asked on which teams to look out for, Rubillar said: "We will play a game-to-game basis. We will just play smart as experience is on our own side.
Team OBS and LTY Foodstuff are the other two teams in their group
Meanwhile, Group B comprise of Easyway, Patriots, Midnight Media Mavericks and Yuni-ku.
Propel Services and Trading, Linktech, Tech G Enterprise and Fateh make up Group C.
Last but not least, three teams - Wan Sing, Amaron and Nuctech - have been drawn in Group D.
