Dolphins hone up in MBL Open

MANILA, Philippines – Former NCAA champion Philippine Christian University hones up for a return to the collegiate cage scene as it joins the MBL Open basketball tournament firing off later this month at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

To be handled by coach Elvis Tolentino and his father Loreto, the Dolphins hope to make an impact in the upcoming commercial and club league as they gear up for a return stint to the NCAA which it ruled in 2004.

The school is currently applying for re-admission in the country’s oldest collegiate league with the PCU community, headed by school president Junifen Gauuan and athletic director Putli Ijranm and Naughty Needlez and Lilac Experience Resto Lounge, backing up its campaign.

Jon Von Tambeling, Mike Ayonayon, Yves Sazon, Fidel Castro and Brett Pallatao banner the roster that includes Julius Leron, Dexter Mescallaelo, Reyl Charl Vasquez, Maoi Marcelino, Andro Catipay, Vonn Tapiz, Jerico Santos and Alec Abrigo.

“We have a young but talented team ready to compete against the more-experienced commercial and club teams in the country,” said Tolentino, one of the stalwarts of the College of St. Benilde’s team that won the NCAA crown in 2000.

“We will always play the game the best way we can,” added the younger Tolentino, who attended the IMPACT coaching clinic in Las Vegas under coach Joe Abunasar, Bobby Knight’s former associate.

Tolentino said former PCU players now playing in  the PBA – Jayson Castro of Talk and Text, Gabby Espinas of San Miguel Beer and Beau Belga of Rain or Shine are  supporting the team’s campaign in the MBL.

The troika led the Dolphins to their first and only NCAA crown in 2004 along with Ramon Retaga, Robert Sanz, Liztian Amparado and Ian Garrido.

Meanwhile, the other teams seeing action in the MBL are defending champion Gerry’s Grill-Diliman College, Macway Travel Club, Wang’s Ballclub, New San Jose Builders and Ironcon Builders-UST.