Zark’s, Lyceum join forces, compete in PBA D-League

MANILA, Philippines — Sharing an appetite for victory, Zark’s Burger and NCAA runner-up Lyceum of the Philippines are partnering for a shot at glory in the coming Philippine Basketball D-League wars.

The Jawbreakers aim to make a big turnaround after posting only one win in their maiden appearance at the Foundation Cup while the Pirates seek to regain their winning ways after missing the NCAA crown following an 18-0 elims sweep.

“Our goal that time was giving chance to other players. Unfortunately, we didn’t get lucky. But this time we want to associate our brand with winning,” Zark’s owner Rolandrei Victor “Commie” Espina-Varona during yesterday’s press launch.

“It’s a new journey for us,” said coach Topex Robinson. “We’re excited and hopefully this will be the continuation of whatever we failed to complete in Season 93.”

Team representative Bernard Yang, school representative Alejandro Lopez, team coordinators Allan Paul Layco and Carmelo Navarro, the players and coaching staff came in full force for the launch.

CJ Perez, Mer Jesper Ayaay, Mike Harry Nzeusseu, Reymar Caduyac, and brothers Javee and Jaycee Marcelino are expected to lead the charge for Zark’s-LPU Jawbreakers.

The Lyceum boys could’ve used the opportunity to get back the finals conqueror San Beda, which plays under the Cignal banner, but the latter filed for a leave of absence in the coming conference.

“We don’t really think much about redemption but improvement,” stressed Robinson. “For it’s really always trying to better ourselves. It just so happened we’re at a different playing field. We’re going to try to get better here at the D-League, which is a good opportunity for us as a team, as a school, as part of Zark’s.”