Sarok Weavers vow to shine under pressure, rise above the challenge

CEBU, Philippines — They must thrive under pressure and rise above the challenge.

That will be the mindset of the Consolacion Sarok Weavers as they defend their title in the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) Under 21 Aspirants Division Second Conference set to kick off on July 2 at the Cebu City Sports Institute.

Two months ago in Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte, the Sarok Weavers made history after they swept host Roxas Vanguards in their best-of-three finals to become the first ever PSL U21 champions.

As they shoot for back-to-back crowns, the task at hand for the Sarok Weavers is completely different this time.

Aside from putting their throne on the line before their hometown fans, five other Cebu teams will also be ganging up on them. These are the ARQ Builders Lapu-Lapu City Chiefs, Sherilin-Unisol Mandaue, Bogo City Bogoys, San Fernando Buffalos, and Team Barili.

Then there’s the four equally-tough contenders from Mindanao in Davao Occidental Dreamers, Davao del Norte Future Hopes, Bukidnon Cowboys, and Cagayan de Oro Sealcor Kingfishers. 

Moreover, four of their key players in PSL inaugural season Most Valuable Player Gyle Patrick Montano, Finals MVP Rojan  Montemayor, big man Matthew Flores and wingman Neon Chavez are no longer with the team. Also, they have new head coach in Lee Mhar Dahil.

But the Sarok Weavers are locked and loaded for the tough battle ahead.

“The pressure is always there even during the last season so the pressure is something we already know how to handle. And I’m so proud of my boys since they shine under pressure,” said Sarok Weavers team manager Marc Malazarte.

“We have made some adjustments though in our team considering that we have new faces and new head coach, but since coach Lee Mhar has been with us from the start of last season, we will be running the same system. And with the guidance of our team consultant/coach Paul Alelu Flores, our transition has been smooth sailing,” added Malazarte. “One thing we could guarantee is that we will be giving our 100 percent inside the court.”    

Just like in their previous campaign, Malazarte said their eyes are set on all the marbles.

“I would lie to myself if I would say that we are not aiming for the championship. It would be useless for us to join this season if defending the crown isn’t our number one goal,” Malazarte said. “We know this will not be easy. It will be even harder because everyone wants to slay the champs. But we are very much up for the pressure and give our all in every game.”

Coach Paul Alelu Flores, who played alongside the ageless PBA superstar Arwind Santos during their golden days with the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws where they won back-to-back championships in the 2004 and 2005 UAAP seasons, echoed the same sentiments.

“We know that the challenge to defend our crown is not easy especially that we lost some of our key players,” said Flores. “But we trust on our system. We will give our best as a team in the hope of keeping our title and make our fellow Consolacionanons proud again.”

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