Basilan Steel determinadong makopo ang MPBL Lakan Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Target ngayon ng Basilan Steel na makapasok sa playoff round ng ikatlong season ng Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Lakan Cup na magbubukas sa dara­ting na Hunyo 12 sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.

Tiwala si  head coach Jerson Cabiltes na ka­yang abutin ng bagong pinasiglang koponan ang kanilang hangarin dahil sa panibagong line-up at tatlo lamang ang natira sa nakaraang roster.

“After our sad ex­perience last year. We learned a lot of lessons. That’s why we used that lesson to form and organized a champion team for the coming conference,” sabi ni Cabiltes sa press launching noong Miyerkules ng gabi sa Vagabond Restaurant sa Quezon City.

Sinabi ni Cabiltes na personal nilang pinipili ang mga bagong manlalaro sa pangunguna nina da­ting Rain or Shine stalwart  Jonathan Uyloan, dating Quezon City Capitals’ Jay Collado, dating Bataan Ri­sers’ Gab Dagangon at da­ting San Sebastian Stags’ na si Alleyn Bulanadi.

“We finished second to the last in the Southern Division last year. That’s why, our team owner businessman Hegem Furigay and LGU partner Gov. Mujiv Hataman wanted a more stronger team this time, one really that could compete and at least reach the playoff round,” dagdag ni Cabiltes.

Kaagad hahataw ang Basilan Steel kontra sa expansion team Bicol Volcanoes sa alas-7 ng gabi sa opening day ng Lakan Cup sa MOA Arena.

“We are at least now ready for the coming season. There’s still at least 20 days before the opening. All we have to do until the opening is polishing na lang,” pahayag ni Cabiltes.

Ang iba pang mga ba­gong miyembro ng Basilan Steel ay sina dating Meralco Bolts Anthony Bringas, Hesed Gabo na pumasok sa MPBL All-Star side events sa nakaraang Datu Cup, Bobby Balucanag, dating Perpetual Help Altas’ Jett Vidal, Shaq Alanes, Michole Sorela, Irven Palencia, Junjie Hallare, Darwin Lunor, Jhaps Bautista, Dennis Daa at Chris Dumapig.

Kasama rin sa line-up ng Basilan sina dating A­damson player na si Harold Ng, Mark Trinidad, Ar Raouf Julkipli at Philip Manalang.