JOJO Duncil is back in playing for the Quezon City Capitals in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), four years after his last stint in the PBA.
The hero of University of Santo Tomas' last UAAP championship run in 2006 had stints with San Miguel, Barako Bull and Air21 Express before ending his PBA career as a rarely used bench player at GlobalPort in 2014.
Duncil, 35, has since mostly focused on his trucking business while playing in small leagues in Pampanga until he got the call to play for the Capitals.
But to make a comeback in the MPBL, the Apalit, Pampanga native said he had to shed around 40 lbs through diet and conditioning for two months to be able to go down to his ideal playing weight of 190 lbs.
"Nag-negosyo na lang ako sa trucking. Tapos nagkita kami ni coach, niyaya nila ako na makipaglaro. Naka-join ako at nabigyan ako ng opportunity,” said the former UAAP Finals MVP. “Nagpakundisyon ako. Malaki ‘yung na-lose ko na weight."
Duncil showed vintage form in his third game with Quezon City, finishing with 14 points in a 77-72 win over GenSan on Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym - the Capitals’ first win in the regional league.
Despite a slow start, Duncil said he likes the composition of the team, confident the Capitals can put together a decent run.
“Sana mag-tuluy-tuloy. Happy ako na magagaling ‘yung mga bata. Nakikinig sila at natuturuan,” said Duncil.
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