THE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) has just started its Northern Luzon joust as the league goes to Pampanga for its scheduled double header tonight.
A day after going to Bulacan, the league moves to Angeles University Foundation Gym as the Pampanga Lanterns play host to the powerhouse San Juan Knights in the main game at 9 p.m. The Lanterns were one of the busiest teams in the off season, acquiring two players, who previously played for the Parañaque Patriots — ex-pro guard Juneric Baloria and front liner Daniel de Guzman.
The Lanterns will also parade ex-Ginebra player Jimbo Aquino, who will be back in mainstream basketball after a few years removed from the PBA.
Pampanga will definitely have its hands full against the visiting San Juan team, stacked with talent after getting explosive players from the PBA, including former PBA champion Mac Cardona and ex-Ginebra guard John Wilson.
A multiple scoring champion, Mr. Cardona will provide the offensive sock for the Knights team along with Mr. Wilson, and they will be backed up by several other ex-PBA players like swingman Samboy de Leon and bruising front liners Larry Rodriguez and Jam Cortes.
The Knights will also have CJ Isit, a former Mapua guard, and center Jamil Gabawan, picked up by the team from the Navotas Clutch during the off season.
Parañaque and Valenzuela square off in the curtain-raiser at 7 p.m.
The Patriots, now being bankrolled by F2 Logistics, also made some key acquisitions in the off season beginning with their coaching staff. Gone are multi-titled coaches Aric del Rosario and his sons — Lester and Edsel — as well as Joselle Angeles.
Taking over is Eric Samson and former national team member Ritchie Melencio.
But the Patriots will still have several holdovers from last season’s team that nearly made it to the finals — ex-pro Harold Arboleda, Mac Montilla and Ryusei Koga among others.
The Patriots will be going up against a team that has lost several key players in the off season — the Classic.
Valenzuela lost big man Mac Andaya, but in turn gets bigger by tapping former Ginebra player Jericho de Guzman, a 6-foot-11 center. The team also lost Mon Mabayo, now playing for the QC Capitals-Black Mamba, and deadshot shooter Drian Celada, now seeing action for the Manila Stars-Robust Energy Capsule. — Rey Joble
Games today
(Angeles University Foundation Gym)
7 p.m. Parañaque vs Valenzuela
9 p.m. Pampanga vs San Juan
