WITH eyes on reclaiming the MPBL title they last held in 2019, the Go for Gold San Juan Knights are beginning preparations early for the upcoming 2026 season.
Sources confirmed to Spin.ph that the Knights have acquired four former UP Fighting Maroons players, all members of the 2021 and 2024 UAAP championship teams in Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, Gerry Abadiano, and Harold Alarcon.
These four players reportedly came as a "get one take all" package and are already practicing with the team.
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Abadiano is a cerebral point guard who was won numerous titles in different leagues, while Alarcon is a 6'1 scorer who can explode at anytime.
Fortea, on the other hand, is a scrappy 6-1 guard who is known for his outside shooting while Torres comes in as an excellent three-and-d guy for San Juan in the wings.
Other MPBL teams were also interested in the former UP stars, who are open to playing in the league with the PBA rescheduling their draft to early 2027.
Following a loss in the Northern Division semifinals last season to the Pangasinan Heatwaves, the Knights are overhauling their lineup by utilizing the long PBA season to acquire top talent.
They're also eyeing stars from teams that are reportedly taking a leave of absence from the MPBL.
The MPBL is scheduled to meet with team officials via Zoom on Sunday to finalize the list of participating ballclubs for the new season.
Meanwhile, to test their new line-up, the Knights will compete in the newly formed Pinoy Amateur Basketball League.
The said tourney will also welcome other MPBL teams, serving as their off-season event, like Binan, Kalookan, Abra, Bataan and Mindoro.
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