THE Ilagan Isabela Cowboys get the feel of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League competition when they tackle the Sarangani Marlins on Saturday in the opening of the MPBL Seventh Season at their 10,000-seat The Capital Arena homecourt.
Binan Tatak Gel and retooled Abra clash in the 6 p.m. inaugural game.
The Cowboys joined the regional tournament last month and were bracketed in the tough North Division with back-to-back reigning champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns and former titlists San Juan Knights (2019) and Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (2022).
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Cowboys coach Louie Gonzalez assembled a competitive team, headed by crack point guard Philip Manalang, and is raring to make the playoffs in their maiden stint.
Other Cowboys expected to deliver before the local crowd are JR Olegario, Joshua Gallano and Macoy Marcos.
The Sarangani Marlins should be tough to crack, however, with Kyt Jimenez, owner of the league's only quadruple-double, veteran big man Arvie Bringas, slam dunk king Joe Gomez De Liano and the mercurial Orin Catacutan in the lineup.
Bent on chasing the title this year, the Weavers recruited the talented Encho Serrano, Fil-Canadian Kascius Small-Martin, and varsity stars Dave Ildefonso, CJ Austria, Jack Cruz-Dumont and Joshua David.
They will play alongside proven acquisitions Yousef Taha, Leon Najorda, John Uduba, Marwin Taywan and Jayson Apolonio, and returnees Mark Yee, Paul Desiderio and Alfred Batino.
Binan has yet to submit its official roster, but gunners Carlo Lastimosa, Kenny Rocacurva Pamboy Raymundo, and Jonathan Grey. and Jaymar Gimpayan are expected to return with veterans Mark Pingris, Mac Cardona and KG Canaleta.
The MPBL begins its three-game schedule on Monday, March 10, at the Robert Estrella Sr. Memorial Gymnasium in Rosales, Pangasinan, where Imus battles Mindoro at 4 p.m., Nueva Ecija plays Pasay at 6 p.m., and Bataan takes on Pangasinan at 8 p.m.
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