MANILA, Philippines — Freego Jeans has been getting pleasant news of late in the sports circle – being a supporter of NCAA defending champion San Beda and the wushu athletes that brought home two gold medals from the recent World Championship in Turkey.

While it is expecting more good news from them in the near future – with San Beda in the finals again for the sixth straight time – Freego Jeans’ re-tooled team in the PBA D-League is also determined to make a big one in the ongoing tournament.

Having the core of Adamson squad and the addition of three role players from Ateneo Jeans are just two of the reasons why Freego president Nelson Chan, coach Leo Austria and team manager Joel Yap are all upbeat of their chances this time around.

Chemistry, they said, is not so much of a problem since eight of their players are from the Falcons, led by by go-to-guy Alex Nuyles.

Aside from the sharp-shooting Nuyles, also in the team are Lester Alvarez, Rodney Brondial, Roider Cabrera, Eric Camson, Jerick Canada, Janus Lozada, Lionel Manyara, Raymond Leonard Austria, Jason Escueta, Chris Sumanilog, Jaralen Tampus, Alwyn Elinon, Jeckters Apinan and Jansen Rios.

“I’m very optimistic we have a pretty good chance this conference. Our new recruits shore up our backcourt and wing spots. Hopefully our new additions would be able to adapt to my system over a short period of time,” said Austria, who is out to improve on their quarterfinal finish the last time.

And judging the way they bludgeoned PC Gilmore, 85-52, in the opener last Thursday, the Jeans Masters appear to have now what it takes to go all the way to the top after only reaching the quarterfinals of the maiden tournament.

Despite their lopsided win over the semifinalist in the Foundation’s Cup, Austria was careful enough in his praise to his players so as not to bloat their ego.