By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Western Visayas is well represented in the NCAA Season 98 men’s seniors basketball. Twelve players from the region are lined up ahead of the season opener this afternoon.
Bacolod City has the most number of Region 6 players in the current NCAA with four, followed by Iloilo Province with three, Iloilo City with two, and Silay City, Aklan and Capiz with one each.
College of St. Benilde Blazers has two Western Visayas-based players in its roster – Silay City, Negros Occidental native Miguel Corteza and Bacolod City’s Chris Flores.
San Beda University Red Lions, meanwhile, also has two in returning Ralph Penuela from Bacolod City and Jaro, Iloilo City’s Raphael Zane Jalbuena, a transferee from the University of Santo Tomas.
Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, on the other hand, also has two Region 6 players lined up in second year center Omar Larupay from Lambunao, Iloilo and Renly Lanz Bayquin from Bacolod City.
Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, for its part, also have two Western Visayas-based cagers in returning Jason Celiz from Bacolod City and reserve Janwell Famaranco from Capiz.
University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas will also parade two rookies from Region 6 in Steven Carl Flores of Kalibo, Aklan and Shawn Michael Orgo of Iloilo City and formerly of St. Robert’s International Academy Panda Rockets.
Mapua University Cardinals will also have second year guard Jeric James Pido of Iloilo City, while host Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals will finally parade Ralph Bajon of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
Other teams competing in the upcoming NCAA season were two-time defending champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, San Sebastian College Golden Stags and Arellano University Chiefs.
Hostilities will begin this afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Season 98 host Generals testing the Chiefs at first game at 3:30 pm., followed by Red Lions-Cardinals tussle at 6 p.m./PN
