ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City Heroes open training camp for VisMin Cup

Members of the ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City Heroes pose after completing the first day of their training camp at the Capitol Parish gym in preparation for the Visayas Leg of the Pilipinas Vismin Cup. CDN Digital photo | Glendale G. Rosal

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Mainstays of the ARQ Builders-Lapu-Lapu City Heroes finally kicked off their training camp in preparation for their stint in the inaugural Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup on April 9, 2021, in Alcantara town, southwestern Cebu.

The Heroes officially started their training camp at the Capitol Parish indoor basketball court today, March 3, 2021. The popular basketball court for local hoopers will serve as the Heroes’ official training camp before entering the bubble two weeks before the tournament’s tip-off.

It was the first time the players and officials had formal training a few months after signing with the major basketball competition.

During the scrimmage, it was obvious that the team still lacks rhythm and their fearsome form after a year of being sidelined from playing basketball due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, newly-appointed head coach Francis Auquico said he sees a lot of promise in his boys.

“We are headed in the right direction. Right now, I am satisfied with our first day of practice. Everyone executed the ball drills nicely even though most of them are still a bit slow,” Auquico told CDN Digital. “At least they have coped up with our system of basketball. Most of them have not played for an entire year because of this pandemic.”

Auquico, however, said that realistically, they are very far from being a competitive team. He said they need to double their efforts if they want to compete and win over stronger teams in the Visayas leg.

“We are looking to gel the team and the players. Some players just arrived from their places. For me, we’re very far from reaching our goals in practice. But the good thing is, we are already here, we’ve started our practice and we will eventually reach our goal,” added Auquico.

Cebuano crafty guard Jerick Cañada heads the Heroes as the team captain. He is joined by fellow ex-MPBL veterans in shooting guard Jercules “Jojo” Tangkay and Jason Melano.

The rest of the team is comprised of Lloyd Solis, Luther Justiniani, Miguel Tabalo, Ferdinand Lusdoc, Hafer Mondragon, John Abad, Edrian Lao, Rino Berame, Franz, Monbert Arong, Rendell Senening, and Eman Calo. /rcg