A LEAGUE that has drawn participation from a team coached by one of the greatest players in Philippine basketball, a collection of ex-PBA stars and collegiate imports playing in one tournament altogether are enough reason why fans drove to the Marikina City Basketball League (MCBL) every game.
People were packing the games because of the competitive nature, seeing ex-PBA players like Ronjay Buenafe, Sunday Salvacion, Chito Jaime, ex-PBA player-turned television personality Mark Andaya, and old warriors like Jimwell Torion and Jeff Sanders of Hobe Bihon Macway, Jerwin Gaco and James Martinez of L&J Spa, Paul Sanga of Madam Tess, and Rudy Lingganay of FEU-NRMF.
The league had also attracted participation from reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player CJ Perez of Lyceum, now playing for FEU-NRMF as well as top collegiate imports Mike Nzeusseu of FEU-NRMF and Donald Tankoua of Hobe Bihon Macway, who are renewing their rivalry in the MCBL.
Then, of course, there’s Jojo Lastimosa, one of Philippine basketball’s all-time greats, in his first head coaching job as mentor of the NLEX-SCTEX Road Warriors already seeded in the semifinals of the tournament.
The MCBL has become a haven for players and coaches of all sorts, thus becoming the league more entertaining and keeping the fans from coming at the Marikina Sports Center.
League Commissioner Cris Bautista, brought in this innovation that would give sanctuary for ex-pros trying to get their way back to the PBA, aspiring players and even local heroes of Marikina an opportunity to shine.
“We really need a league like this because it gives them an avenue after PBA and D-League. Aside from providing them livelihood, it is also a good way to show to Marikina folks that we really are serious in competitive basketball,” said Mr. Bautista, the basketball program head of Jubilee Christian Academy and assistant coach of Ateneo Lady Eagles in the UAAP.
Mr. Bautista had seen how MCBL had grown and next in line is a women’s basketball league.
“We really need this for the development of our women’s basketball league in the country. Other countries are having their own commercial basketball league for women, so I guess we really need to put up our own,” added Mr. Bautista.
Mr. Bautista is also looking to put up a league in Marikina and inviting different towns and cities nearby the east — Cainta, Antipolo, Pasig and Taytay, among others. — Rey Joble
