BACK with a vengeance.
Remember the Basilan team that lost a controversial knockout game by default to Davao in the Southern Division championship series of the MPBL Lakan Season back in 2021?
Well, they are launching a comeback.
In an interview with SPIN.ph, Basilan Mayor Julz Hataman bared that after a two-year hiatus, they have decided to revive their franchise, with the fervent hope that they can pick up where they left off.
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“We already met with Senator Manny Pacquiao. Yes, we’re coming back to the MPBL. Bigger, better and more prepared,” said Hataman, member of the popular Basilan Island political clan.
Hataman bared that they are forming a very strong and competitive line-up that can rival the MPBL’s current heavyweights like the Go for Gold San Juan Knights and current MPBL 2024 finalists Pampanga Giant Lanterns and Quezon Huskers.
“We feel that we still have an unfinished business in the MPBL so we’re coming back for good. Saka nami-miss na rin ng mga kababayan ko dito sa Basilan ang high-level basketball.
We hope that through this, we can inspire our kababayans here in Basilan to persevere and become future Philippine basketball stars,” he said.
For his part, Basilan co-team owner Jackson Chua revealed that he is now in contact with some of the best players in the MPBL for possible signings. He is also on the lookout for former PBA players with contracts expiring at the end of the current Commissioner’s Cup.
“Marami na kaming mga nakakausap and we will release an early list of our pool and lineup soon. Alam namin na tumataas ang level ng laro sa MPBL, so hindi kami papayag na maging whipping boys,” said Chua, owner of the posh Red Dynasty Restaurant at Winford Hotel-Manila.
Tan-Yang team-up on the bench
Chua is also looking to name the MPBL’s maiden conference champion coach Mac Tan as chief tactician. He is set to work hand in hand with former Hapee Toothpaste team manager Bernard Yang, who will man the front office.
Meanwhile, Basilan team governor Ehds Chua assured the team will be sufficiently funded, saying they have already secured commitments from Korean and other international partners.
“We are forming a legitimate team and the set-up will also be very professional, hindi pwede yung fly-by-night approach, kasi kabuhayan ng mga players ito, pride naman ng mga sponsors at companies namin nakasalalay,” said the young Chua.
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