By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

AVID fans of basketball in Pangasinan who may still not know must be made aware that there are already two professional basketball leagues in the country. First was the PBA. The latest that emerged six years ago was the little-known Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). Noteworthy was the fact that it was founded by eight-division world boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in 2017. It’s now on its sixth season with 29 teams.

Unlike the PBA which is a commercial league, MPBL format is similar to the United States’ NBA. Yes, MPBL principal rule says a team should represent a place, a province, town or city. The league’s lead executive Joe Ramos said the 29 participating teams will play in a single round-robin system, one team against all other teams for a total of 28 games and will be play in designated home courts.

Pangasinan will enter the MPBL this year for the first time under the tutorships of former PBA players Jun Marzan of Alaminos City and Christian Calaguio of Sta. Barbara. I managed to watch the second day of the Pangasinan quintet tryouts held last January 21 at the Calasiao Sports Complex. and met Calasiao top honcho Kevin Roy Macanlalay, host of the two-day tryouts. Their third tryout was held in Alaminos City on January 22.

There were a 137 players and according to my source, 18 will be selected according to their skills in all angles of play and displayed discipline. Of course, only 12 players can enter the court and the remaining six will stay as reserves.

“Height is might,” as the saying goes in basketball, so allow me to mention only the names and hometowns of the six-foot-and-above players: Jerick Villanueva (6’7”) of Alaminos City, Jimboy dela Cruz (6’5”) of Mangatarem, John Marc Abaoag (6’5”) of San Fabian, Armando Pollante (6’4”) of Balungao, Robert Caasi (6’4”) of Alaminos City, John Balmes (6’4”) of Calasiao, Andre Mandapat (6’4”) of Bayambang, Jhon Ram Radam (6’3”) of Urdaneta City, Adrian James Bautista (6’3”) of Binalonan, Danielle Abo (6’3”) of Manaoag, Michael Lambino (6’3”) of Mangaldan, Dennis Cuaresma (6’3”) of San Manuel, Raymond Capin (6’2”) of Alaminos City, Rodel Mark Renon (6’2”) of Binalonan, Kevin Tinte (6’2”) of Sta. Barbara, Misan dela Cruz Masim (6’2”) of Mapandan, Roxar Melendez (6’2”) of Binmaley, Raul Jay Sarlon (6’2”) of Mapandan, Tamzo Zulueta (6’1’) of Basista, Jeric P. Garcia (6’1”) of Sual, John Paul Caramat (6’1”) of Mapandan, Cris Bob Abuan (6’1”) of San Fabian, Jervin Sapigao (6’1”) of Rosales).  Those standing 6’0”s are Erwin Soriano of Villasis, Jomar Wanceslao of Alcala, Jerico Mondala of Urdaneta City, Russel John Fetux of Villasis, Joshua Dan Fernandez of Mangaldan, Hezon M. Espanol of Calasiao, Jun Gabriel Cabatbat of Calasiao, Bangis Jacinto of Laoac, and Jerico Surop of Manaoag.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 1 PETER 5: 5

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