MANILA – Veteran guard John Karlo Casiño is set to spearhead the All Star Bacolod Ballers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational from Dec. 11 to 23 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The former Centro Escolar University Scorpion is making a move to the Ballers following his two-year stint in the PBA as the reserve guard for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and TNT KaTropa.
The 5-foot-10 Casiño is no stranger to playing for Bacolod City. He recently suited up for the Pacquiao Coffee-Bacolod team in the Chooks-To-Go 3×3 basketball competition.
Another veteran player for the Ballers is Mark Montuano who previously played for Bacoor Strikers in the MPBL and Wangs Basketball in the PBA Developmental League.
Bacolodnon forward Kimlee Bayquin, formerly of Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the UAAP, leads the five homegrown players in the roster of head coach Alexander Angeles.
Bayquin, who started to play in Manila in high school with Chiang Kai Shek College, was recently selected by Blackwater Bossing in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft but was left unsigned.
Other Bacolod City-natives in the lineup are Arben Dionson of Lyceum of the Philippines, Mark dela Cruz of the University of St. La Salle, John Lemuel Pastias of STI-West Negros University, and Keneth Tulipas of Hercor College.
Completing the All Star Bacolod are Ichie Altamirano, Jefferson Comia, Kraniel Viloria, Nhomer Gonzales, Mark Anthony Guillen, Joe Joven, Carl Soriano, and Randy Colonia.
Serving as Angeles’ assistant coaches are Marlon Keith Martin, Roser Benjamin Mangahas, Ritchie Militante, and Marlon Adolfo, while Leo Bat-Og served as the team manager.
The Ballers were bracketed in Group A along with fellow Western Visayas-based teams Iloilo United Royals and Negros Muscovados, Caloocan Supremos, Bacoor Strikers and Pasig Sta Lucia Realtors./PN
