E-Leagues Season 13 unfurls; Convergys out to make history

CEBU, Philippines - Make history.

This will be the battlecry of two-time defending champion Convergys Converters as they open their bid for a historic grandslam in the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball Season 13 today at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

The Converters will take on the Teletech-Telstra Boomerangs in the main match of the season-opening double-header that also features the Contact Solutions Flying Lemurs against the Tech Mahindra tech Mighties.

Though short in preparation, the Converters remain upbeat on their chances of completing a rare three-peat, something that no team has even done in the league's 13-year history.

"We prepared late because we have other commitments to attend to," said Convergys' do-it-all forward Kenneth Dysam in a press conference yesterday. "But we are hopeful that we will be able to achieve that legacy of being the league's first grandslam champions."

Despite having still last year's regular season MVP Archie Batua, Finals MVP Franz Dysam and the addition of All-Star guard Ildefonso Bulangis Jr., the task at hand won't be easy for Convergys as standing in its way to glory is an army of tough contenders that include the Supportsave Dragons, who have been elevated to the Elite Classic after winning the Evo League crown last season with an undefeated 16-0 record.

"We kept on practicing. We are a very undersized team in the Elite Classic and we hope we can compete with them," said Supportsave's go-to-guy Nino Belande.

Last year's losing finalist Lexmark Stallions have the same mindset although they hammered out a warning to their rivals.

"We are most prepared this time for the Elite league," said Lexmark's top gunner Sylvester Millevo, who made history as the league's first ever MVP and Rookie of the Year at the same time four years ago. "We just play as a team and give it our best inside the court."

Rounding up the 10-team, Elite Classic field are the Teleperformance All-Stars, SSI Warriors, Accenture Sharks, Wipro Tigers, ePerformax Reds and Sykes Pioneers.

"It will be very tough to call," was the fortright assessment of tournament director Rey Fuentes when asked who he thinks will dominated the league this year. "I don't know how the new players will jell with their teams (in the Elite Classic). In the Evo League, expect a strong challenge from Tech Mahindra and Dynnino. Hopefully somebody can pull off some surprise this season."

Aside from Tech Mahindra and the Dyninno Jets (formerly Raptors), also vying for top honors in the Evo League are the Author Solutions Inc. Hardbacks, The Results Spartans, Teletech Titans, QBE Generals and Optum Knights (formerly the United Health Group Cobras).

Completing the challengers are league newcomers Streamline Kangaroos and Shearwater Health Crusaders.

Both the Elite Classic and Evo League will play in a single round robin with the top seven qualifiers proceeding into the playoff. The eight playoff slot will be determined by lottery.

The top four seeds will enjoy twice-to-beat advantage over the lower-ranked teams in the first round of playoffs. The semifinals and the finals will follow a best-of-three series format. (FREEMAN)