BACOOR CITY, Cavite – The last team to be admitted to this year’s Maharlika Pilpinas Basketball League Franchise (MPBL) franchise aims to strike for a win against the opponent “Cebu Sharks” on June 21 at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
Bacoor City Strikers, the 26th team and the 2nd to represent the province of Cavite, is putting its best foot forward to give Bacoor city its rightful place, as the season opens on June 12 (Independence Day), said Team Manager Buddy Encarnado during the home-based team’s press launch at the Strike Multi-Purpose Hall last Friday (June 8).
“I think I have assembled enough basketball talents to make sure that Bacoor City is properly represented,” Encarnado vowed as he banked on his years of team handling experience now focused on the Bacoor City Strikers.
The 15-member team, with four home-grown talents, two imports and PBA-pro player Marlou Aquino, has all earned their basketball marks in university and PBA-D league competitions.
Mikee Reyes, one of the team’s center players, admits that the team members may not be that tall compared to other teams in the league.
“The team’s advantage would be our speed and we'll use each other’s abilities, as a team, and play defense, which will be a big part of our gameplan,” Reyes said.
Congressman Strike Revilla, who spoke on behalf of the local government unit (LGU)-partner, described the team as providential, “God’s gift.” Revilla divulged that the team just came in and had actually been unplanned. It just emerged from a casual dinner meeting with Senator Manny Pacquiao some two weeks ago.
He explained in detail the team’s uniform, which will be bearing the famous city symbols, like Zapote bridge (the site of the Battle of Zapote), its 73 bricks representing the city’s villages, the historical parish church where Father Mariano Gomes - one the three Filipino parish priests martyrs GomBurZa – was parish priest, the horse is to rekindle the old ‘kalesa’ (chariot) race, and the wings representing the city’s vision to soar to greater heights.
City Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla added that the formation of the team was in line with the city’s mission to promote health and wellness through sports and serve as vehicle for the city’s campaign against drugs.
The city mayor said although they are the last to come in, “we hope not to be the least” and that although there will come a time when they need to compete with Cavite’s Imus City, the mayor assures that it is purely a friendly competition and will not create an animosity against each other.
With former San Beda and Foton Red Lions coach Budds Reyes and assistant coaches Adonis Sta. Maria, Buboy Mata, JR Carlos, Tylon Darjuan and Joey Protacio, the team is composed of Cristian Garcia (SF), Rama Morales (SG), Eric Acuña (PG), Arcy Basañes (PF/F), Mark Montuano (F), Bon Jovi Cipriano (PG/SG), Ricky Maurillo (PF), Maco Maconocido (PG), Mikee Reyes (C), Oping Sumalinog (F), Leo De Vera (PF, F), and Marlou Aquino (C).
The team also includes Bacoor’s homegrown talents Arcy Basañes (PF/F), Joe-Cel Prudente (SG), Roger Maligo-on (F), and Michael Rabor.
The franchise owner is Federico Hui, with lawyer Jonas Castro as team co-manager.
Bacooreños may catch the players in their home-game against Bulacan at the Strike Revilla Gymnasium on July 12. (PNA)
