BACOLOD City – Negros Muscovados made some roster changes amid the inconsistencies in the first four matches in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season.
The Muscovados announced the hiring of veteran mentor Bonnie Garcia as the squad’s new head coach to replace Gherome Aledron in hopes of improving their 1-3 win-loss slate.
“This coaching change is the change the Muscovados needed to move forward in the MPBL tournament,” the team said in a statement. “We look forward to having a winning campaign under coach Bonnie.”
Garcia had a rich head coaching experience as he previously handled the defunct FedEx Express in the PBA in 2003 while he also served as mentor for Pampanga Dragons (1998) and Laguna Lakers (2001) in MBA.
Garcia also had stints as assistant coach for Mapua University Cardinals (under Atoy Co) and San Beda Red Lions (under Frankie Lim) in NCAA and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in UAAP.
Garcia was also the head coach of the Sta. Lucia basketball team in the PCBL in 2015, he also steered Colegio de San Lorenzo Griffins to UCBL and NCR-UCLAA championships in 2017 and also handled UST Tiger Cubs in UAAP Juniors tournament.
As a collegiate player, Garcia was the team captain of the three-time Metro Manila Universities Athletic Association (MMUCAA) champions squad FEATI University Hi-Flyers.
The Muscovados also adjusted their roster with the addition of homegrown players Emarken Panisales from Bacolod City and Bago City-native Chris Flores, who is also playing for College of St. Benilde Blazers in NCAA.
Also signed up by the Muscovados were Robin Roño, Rey De Mesa and Bernie Bregondo. The squad’s lone subtraction so far in their roster is Negrense winger Aneclito Dularte.
The new-look Muscovados squad will be tested when they resume their MPBL action at eight in the evening on April 13 against Pampanga Giant Lanterns at the Bren Z. Guiao Gymnasium in Pampanga./PN
