MPBL playoffs puntirya ng Quezon Huskers

MANILA, Philippines — Handa ang Quezon Huskers na gawin ang lahat upang makapasok sa playoffs ng Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League fifth season na magsisimula sa Sabado sa Quezon Convention Center sa Lucena City.

Ito ang unang pagkaka­taon na sasalang ang tropa sa MPBL.

Kaya naman desidido si Huskers coach Eric Gonzales na maihanda ang kanyang tropa para maisakatuparan ang plano nito.

Maiksi lamang ang preparasyon ng Huskers dahil bagong team lamang ito.

Binuo ang Huskers noong nakaraang buwan sa pangunguna nina team manager Atty. Donn Rico Kapunan, assistant team manager Magnum Membrere at consultant Patrick Gregorio.

Bumabandera sa listahan si reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player Will Gozum na binigyan ng Special Guest License ng Games and Amusement Board.

Kasama rin sina AJ Madrigal, Brix Ramos at CJ Catapusan na bahagi ng University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion team University of the Philippines noong 2021.

Kinuha rin ng Hus­kers sina dating University of Santo Tomas star Jeric Teng at MPBL veteran Mark Pangilinan habang si dating UP standout Jaggie Gregorio ang playing assistant manager.

Ang iba pang miyembro ng koponan ay sina Allan Beltran ng University of the East, Thomas Torres ng De La Salle University, Ximone Sandagon, Al Francis Tamsi, Rodel Gravera at Ken Holmsqvist ng Far Eastern University, at RJ Minerva ng National University.

Tiwala si Gonzales na magiging maganda ang unang pagsalang ng Huskers sa regional tournament na binuo nina Sen. Manny Pacquiao at Philippine Basketball Association legend Kenneth Duremdes na siyang commissioner.

“My concern is that the time we spent in forming a solid team was so short. But I’m hoping and praying to make it to the playoffs,” ani Gonzales sa press launch na dinaluhan din nina team owners Quezon Rep. Keith Micah Tan at San Andres, Quezon Mayor Ralph Edward Lim kasama si Quezon Governor Helen Tan.

Umaasa si Gov. Tan na ma­­kakatulong ang partisi­pasyon ng Huskers sa MPBL hindi lamang sa sports kundi ang makilala ang Quezon Province sa tourism, commerce at infrastructure.

“This is the first time for us to participate in a national league like the MPBL. We’re very thankful to be given the opportunity and we hope that we will make the Quezonians proud,” ani Gov. Tan.

“We hope that our participation in the MPBL will give us a chance to be known and recognized, not just in sports through basketball, but also in other aspects beyond competition as well,” dagdag nito.

Suportado ang Huskers ng JAC Liner, Inc., Queen Margarette Hotel at Tubong Quezon.

Kasama rin sa lineup sina homegrown players Paeng Salonga at Topeng Lagrama ng Lucena City, Bryant Placino ng Lucban, Quezon at Arjay Paul Dongog ng Atimonan, Quezon.

“As for my players, I believe in their ability. I can see that they are serious and very determined to make an impact and represent Quezon Province,” dagdag ni Gonzales.

Tiwala si Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala, na naglaro sa Team B ng La Salle Green Archers, sa magiging laban ng kanilang koponan.