From Bread Story-Lyceum's Facebook page |
By Dugout Philippines
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) stars Dexter Zamora and Joseph Gabayni head the Lyceum of the Philippines University-backed Bread Story Pirates in the 2014-15 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) Aspirants Cup.
Zamora and Gabayni, who were part of the NCAA East All-Stars squad, will lead the squad backed by Gerry’s Grill, Frabelle Corporation, and official outfitter World Balance in the league's first conference this season.
This season, the rookie center Gabayni leads LPU in scoring (12.6 per game), rebounding (11.5 per game), and blocked shots (1.3 per game) to finish as the league’s defensive player of the year.
The fourth-year combo guard Zamora, on the other hand, has been the steady playmaker for the Pirates who can also take charge in the scoring department.
In the recently concluded NCAA season, he produced 11.6 points together with 2.7 assists and one steal per contest, ranking in the top three of each category for the team.
Other LPU players taken in by the newcomer D-League squad are forwards Arwin Azores, Jeremiah Taladua, and Wilson Baltazar, centers Jebb Bulawan and Seraj Elmejrab; and guards Shaq Alanes, Joem Lacastesantos, and Allyn Malabanan.
“We look forward to playing in the D-League, not only to gain the much-needed experience, but for them to look forward to playing in a higher level of competition next to the PBA,” said Bread Story Head Coach Bonnie Tan.
”The D-League is a different league altogether. The competition is tougher, the players are already ripe for the PBA, and it’s perfect for the players to boost their confidence and their level of competitiveness on the court.”
Among the reinforcements included in their pool of players this season are University of Santo Tomas standouts Kent Lao, Eduardo Daquioag, and Louie Vigil, together with D-League draft pick John Lasa and free agents Jackson Corpuz and Mike Gamboa,