THE Tanduay Batangas City Embassy Chill will kickstart its campaign in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League by facing Imus Bandera during the league’s opening today (Monday).
No less than founder and boxing legend Sen. Manny Pacquiao will be gracing the event as special guest of honor when the opening ceremony gets underway at the Batangas Coliseum.
Coach Cholo Villanueva will be mentoring the Tanduay squad which will be composed of the same team that is competing in Filbasket.
The Tanduay Batangas City Embassy Chill will be made up of Levi Hernandez, Cedrick Ablaza, Mark Cruz, Dawn Ochea, Johnrey Villanueva, Jeckster Apinan, Wilson Baltazar, John Amboludta, Ralf Olivares, Joshua Gonzales, Darwin Lunor, Mark Dela Virgen, Jaycee Asuncion, Rudy Lingganay, Jay Manlangit, King Importante, and Jong Baloria. Aside from Gonzales, two homegrown players VJ Alarcon and Oliver Arim will be playing for the team.
Batangas City Tanduay Athletics won the Rajah Cup championship during the inaugural MPBL season in 2018. “We are confident with the team. We’re getting better every day. We will work to win and regain the championship,” said Villanueva, who also serves as an assistant coach for the University of the East Red Warriors.
The youthful coach believes they have already worked their chemistry given the time they have been practicing together.
“During training, we have been working on the integration of the new players to work within the system. Of course, there’s also an emphasis on conditioning. It’s going to be a new strategy and new tactics,” he said.
Villanueva added that they will also make the most of their homecourt advantage when they meet coach Manny Torralba and the Imus Bandera.
“We know we are playing against a strong team. But we will get our strength from home crowd energy,” he said.
Tanduay Batangas City Embassy Chill Team Manager Gerry Tee is optimistic and excited about the return of the MPBL.
“It feels great to be back in the MPBL. We’re excited that we’ll be seeing and traveling to different parts of Luzon again and see the fans of the Tanduay team and the fans of the league,” Tee said.
The MPBL took a two-year hiatus following the enforcement of health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is nice to go back and be able to help in the development of grassroots basketball again and also support the players who have not been employed for the longest time,” Tee said.
The MPBL games will be played at the Batangas City Coliseum and will be shown live on One PH channel every Mondays and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting tonight.