ALVIN Pasaol, Santi Santillan, Sean Manganti and Anton Asistio will take their act to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), joining Bataan Risers for the Lakandula Cup.
Team manager Borgie Hermida confirmed the development as they join former national team mentor and new head coach Jong Uichico as the fresh faces for the franchise this season.
"They're definitely a big help for us since we all know that these four were stars in their respective college teams," he said.
"The challenge now is how to adjust with some of the veterans in our team. I see the competition in our practices and with their presence, it helps a lot."
The four are no stranger to Bataan, representing the franchise in the past Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup, winning two legs for second place in the series.
They also bagged the silver medal in the Asia Pacific 3x3 Super Quest, earning a spot in the 2019 Fiba 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters last month.
Save for Pasaol, the newcomers already got together with the Risers on Friday as they held a basketball clinic for indigent children at Paco Arena, together with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in celebration of World No Tobacco Day of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Santillan, Manganti, and Asistio teamed up with holdovers Vince Tolentino, Jai Reyes, Chito Jaime, Alfred Batino, Byron Villarias, Leo Najorda, Gio Espuelas, and Bernie Bregondo in teaching the kids from Paco the game of basketball.
"We support the drive of WHO towards healthy living. We were invited and we took this opportunity to contribute towards a healthy society, especially for our future generations," said Hermida. "We commend the WHO for their efforts in the Philippines and the SBP for thier generous support in this endavor."
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