MANILA – League veterans are set to bolster the expansion team Iloilo United Royals in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), which will open on June 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Royals head coach Eric Gonzales said former Navotas Clutch players Samboy de Leon, Rey Publico, Jay Javelosa and Donald Gumaru will form the core of the squad owned by Jaro-native businessman Julio Jalandoni Javelosa.
Also moving to the Iloilo United were former Valenzuela Classic swingman Ryan Arambulo and Ilonggo Aaron Jeruta, previously of MPBL Datu Cup champions San Juan Knights.
“Our squad might be young compared to other teams but we are determined to make an impact right in our first season,” said Gonzales, who will mentor the squad along with Nash Racela.
Also mentioned as part of the team were former Far Eastern University standout Rhagnee Sinco, former San Sebastian player Paul Reguera and Ilonggo Andrei Pantin of Letran Knights.
Dexter Dy, Royals’ head recruiter for Western Visayas, said they are still in search for local players and have scheduled open tryouts on June 7 at City of Passi Arena (5 p.m. onwards) and on June 8 at Puerto Real Gym (9 a.m.).
“There are too many basketball talents in Western Visayas. In Iloilo, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Aklan, Antique. So we wanted to give them a chance here Iloilo United Royals,” Dy said.
The entry in the MPBL served as Iloilo’s return to regional basketball scene after previously participating in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) in 1998 as Iloilo Megavoltz./PN
