BATANGAS City–Tanduay Athletics isn’t taking things lightly in the second conference of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), continuing to add vital pieces to its championship-winning core.
Head coach Mac Tan revealed on Monday that he added former University of the East gunner Bong Gallanza and a couple of veterans to add depth to a lineup bannered by Val Acuna, Lester Alvarez and Bong Quinto.
“I added ex-pro Bong Gallanza, a couple of players from the D-League in Sandy Cenal and Lucas Tagarda which will be part of my rotation. May nakuha rin ako from CEU, si Jason Opiso which will be a valuable player in our team,” said Tan.
“Yung homegrown namin, sana makahabol din sa system. Long season ngayon so ang sabi ko sa kanila, importante healthy when it comes to playoff na,” he added.
Gallanza’s addition is timely for the inaugural MPBL champions considering that they’ll be losing Letran star Quinto for a couple of months to allow the bruising forward to focus on his final year with Letran in the NCAA.
Tan knows depth will be crucial for any squad as the league expanded to 26 teams from the original number of 10 in the first season, making for a much longer season.
“I’m not taking things lightly. We’ll be more serious, 26 teams ngayon from 10 teams, lahat yan naka-prepara. Of course na-scout kami. Yung core ko naman yun pa rin,” said Tan.
The key is staying healthy in a long season, Tan said.
“I’ll take it one game at a time. Yung pagaalaga sa player yun ang importante,” Tan said. “We need to keep the team healthy up until the playoffs cause it’s a grueling season.
"As much as possible, I’ll use all my players. Hindi lang to basta-basta makumpleto yung roster. Kumuha ako ng players na magagamit ko sa mga games na kakailangan to keep the team healthy. Yun ang first priority ko.”