With a little over a week until the two-day Golden West tournament, Cerritos College’s mens water polo team looks to overcome its 10-5 playoff lost to Mt. SAC at Pasadena City College during regionals last season and improve its game.

“We are excited,” head coach Joe Abing said, “we have a good team. I have a strong group of returners.

He will be looking to a combination of returners and new players to defeat Mt. SAC this year.

“Mt. SAC is in our conference so we will definitely play them again and they are definitely one of our rivals. So [the playoff lost] left a bitter taste in our mouths so we will be excited to play them again.” 

“We have made it to the playoffs for seven straight years and we are planning on continuing that [this year], and we want to be one of the best teams in Southern California.”

Utility player, P.J Gabayeron, one of the returners and 1st team All-Conference player, expects big things for this season as well.

“I think we are going to do a lot better this year,” Gabayeron said.

He also showed his enthusiasm to having a rematch against the team that knocked the Falcons out of the playoffs last season.

“It would be that much better if we beat them [in the playoffs] because they beat us last year.” Abing said.

Abing also mentioned returner, goalie, Justin Calderon to be the backbone of the teams defense.

As for the new comers, he has high hopes for one player in particular.

“Our most exciting new player would have to be Issac Aglaben from Spain. He has a lot of experience and I look to him to make an impact,” Abing said.

Abing also mentioned that his team knows what he expects.

“I have set the bar real high. Our practices are very intense.”