MANILA – Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife is not closing its doors on tinkering its roster ahead of the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season trading period from June 4 to 18.
According to Royals president JJ Javelosa, he has been receiving calls from several teams since last week for possible player swaps but are still evaluating each of the offers on the table.
“Since last week we are receiving a lot of calls and offers from other teams but wala pa kaming nakakasundo. We are listening to each trade offers,” Javelosa told Panay News on Wednesday.
“Mahalaga rin siyempre na ma-evaluate namin ‘yung mga players na ibibigay nila sa amin and also ‘yung players na gusto nila sa amin. Of course, it should benefit both teams and hindi lopsided,” he added.
Javelosa admitted that he is eyeing some players from other teams but refused to divulge them unless an agreement is reached and that the deal is approved by the MPBL Commissioner’s Office.
“We are not closing our doors on improving our team if there is an opportunity like this upcoming trading period. We want our team to be as competitive as possible,” Javelosa said.
“Just like before the free agency deadline, we were able to add some quality free agents that helped us address our early season struggles and allow us to have a winning streak,” he added.
After starting the 2023 MPBL season with four consecutive defeats, the United Royals have won five of its last six matches after tinkering its roster with some free agency acquisitions.
The Iloilo United Royals will return to action against Batang Kankaloo, currently with a 7-4 win-loss slate, at six in the evening on Friday, June 2, at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Cavite.
“The team, from the coaches, to the players and to the team management, are doing its best to form a competitive team, we want to represent the Ilonggos very well here in MPBL,” Javelosa said./PN
