And to make sure it would not take the same blow that befell the team the past two conferences, coach Louie Alas has acquired former La Salle star JV Casio to ease his woes at the backcourt when the 2006 PBL Unity Cup starts on March 25.

Aside from Casio, who rose to prominence with his clutch baskets and creative plays during La Salle’s finals series with the FEU Tamaraws two years back, the Rey Oben-owned squad also took Adamson’s hotshot Patrick Cabahug, Jose Rizal University’s Marco Fajardo and San Sebastian’s Chris Baluyot.

Casio, according to Alas, earned the respect of his new teammates right after his first practice session with the team. The addition of Casio boosted the team’s backcourt crew that also includes Boyet Bautista, JP Alcaraz and comebacking Christian

"He’s a thinking player. He’s tailor-made for us," said Alas who also have some glowing words for Cabahug and Fajardo for their wide array of moves, especially their outside shooting.

Team manager Ramon Oben is also hoping that their veteran players like Aaron Aban, Jonathan Aldave, Mark Andaya, Erick Rodriguez, Ardy Larong and prized rookie Joe Calvin Devance would step up big to make up for their disappointing showing the last time out.

Toyota Otis actually finished last in the last two conferences but with a retooled squad, Alas, who thanked Fr. Edwin Lao and the whole community of Letran for sponsoring his US trip recently where he observed practices at Georgetown and University of California in Los Angeles, is convinced they will perform much better this time.

"There’s no way but up for us. And I think this is the best time for my veteran players to shine since most of them also want to play in the pro league," said Alas. "But I told them that they have to prioritize the team first before their personal agenda."

Gil Angeles, the team’s representative to the Board, readily agreed, saying: "There’s no question about the skills of our players, they are all talented but they have to put their hearts into the game so that we can have positive results. Their success is also our success."

Alas is also looking forward to duplicating their 2003 feat, the year they first played in the country’s premier amateur league.

Fresh from steering Letran to the NCAA championship, Alas earned the raves of even the self-styled experts when they finished a surprise third in their maiden campaign. But the brilliance of their impressive debut waned as fast as they earned it following a series of setbacks.

"They have to give their best shot this time," said Alas referring to his pair of 6-foot-7 players – Andaya and Devance. "They have to impose their might inside, if they can’t mahihirapan na naman kami."