MANILA – Former PBA cagers Chito Jaime and Levi Hernandez will form part of the Iloilo United Royals competing in the 2021 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational from Dec. 11 to 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Jaime and Hernandez are expected to provide the much needed veteran presence for the Royals, which will have returning Eric Gonzales as its head coach and Ed Lorenz Dela Torre as his assistant.
The 38-year-old Balanga, Bataan-native Jaime is an experienced veteran, having played for four PBA teams in Sta. Lucia Realtors, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (where he won a PBA title in 2012), Air21 Express, and Kia Picanto.
Jaime also played for AirAsia Philippine Patriots in the ASEAN Basketball League, Ilocos Sur Tigers in the Liga Pilipinas and Muntinlupa Cagers and Bataan Risers in MPBL, and Roxas Vanguards in the Philippine VisMin Super Cup.
On the other hand, the San Luis, Pampanga-native Hernandez suited up for the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA. He is currently part of the Pampanga Delta team in the National Basketball League.
The United Royals also had collegiate players in Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals standouts Marwin Taywan and John Paul Maguilano and Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates’ Jayson David.
The United Royals also signed former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons players Gelo Vito and Darwish Bederi and former Far Eastern University Tamaraw Axel Iñigo.
Completing the Iloilo City-based team were returning players in Ilonggos Michael Jay Javelosa, Aaron Jeruta and Mac Racho and former reliables Donald Gumaru and John Mahari.
The Royals were bracketed in Group A along with fellow Western Visayas-based teams All-Star Bacolod Ballers and Negros Muscovados, Caloocan Supremos, Bacoor Strikers, and Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors.
The United Royals had an impressive run in its debut season in the Lakan Cup; they finished the elimination round with an 18-12 win-loss record. They were beaten in the quarterfinals by Basilan Steel./PN
