MANILA – Iloilo United Royals will clash Basilan Steel in the best-of-three South Division quarterfinals round of the 2019-2020 Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Cup starting this week.
The first war of the series is slated on Feb. 19 (6:30 p.m.) at the Strike Gym in Bacoor City, while the second game is on Feb. 24 (8:30 p.m.) at the Lamitan Gym in the Province of Basilan. The third game shall only exist if necessary on Feb. 28.
Royals team owner JJ Javelosa told Panay News that the Royals are currently in deep preparations for the playoffs as they vow to give their all for their fans.
“We will try our best in the quarterfinals round,” Javelosa said. “Our last defeat in the eliminations against Bacoor Strikers was not good, so the team started the preparation early for the playoffs.”
During their elimination round encounter on Aug. 4, 2019 in Pasig, Iloilo was defeated by the Steel, 78-74, despite the Ilonggos leading by double-digits early in the match.
Meanwhile, Iloilo obtained another boost in their lineup following the entry of center Frank Golla. He will finally be able to join the team after securing his release from TNT KaTropa of the Philippine Basketball Association.
“Frank is in our original lineup and he finally got his release from the TNT,” Javelosa said. “He will be a big help for the team because he is a big man who can shoot from the outside.”
The six-foot-five Golla previously played for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in the UAAP and also suited up for the Blackwater Elite and the KaTropa./PN
