The powerhouse Davao Occidental COCOLIFE Tigers aim to add another laurel in its winning tradition when they take part in the newly established Filipino Basketball League or FILBASKET.
The reigning Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League national champion Tigers, along with other teams in the amateur and commercial cage leagues in the country will plunge into action when FILBASKET finally fires off on October 20 via a bubble setup at the Taal Country Club, Laurel, Batangas.
The Tigers’ deputy team manager Ray Alao revealed the final composition of the squad, composed of pioneer veterans Bonbon Custodio, BillyRay Robles, Emman Calo, Joseph Terso, Marco Balagtas, Robby Celis, and Jerwin Gaco beefed up by Alwin Alday, Gab Dagangan, Chris Lalata, Irven Palencia, Allan Santos and certified gunners Paulo Habalde and John Wilson.
Acknowledged team leader Mark Yee will skip the league’s first conference due to his commitment in representing the country in an international 3×3 cage competition.
The hungry Tigers, who are raring to face familiar rivals in a new battlefield, are determined to win another title for the team, owned by Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista and Dumper Party List Congresswoman Claudine Bautista, supported by COCOLIFE president Atty. Jose Martin Loon, SVP Joseph Ronquillo, VP Rowena Asnan and EVP Joie Franz Araque.
“We are slowly getting back to near normal. We thank the IATF for giving opportunity to players to bounce back after a long lull due to the pandemic. Hear the Tigers roar once more,” said team manager Dinko Bautista.
COCOLIFE SVP Ronquillo is optimistic of the team’s determination in its quest for excellence.
“Definitely, the Davao Occidental COCOLIFE Tigers will continue their reputation in this new league, the FILBASKET,” Ronquillo said.
Head coach Matt Makalintal will call the shots for the champion team from Mindanao, to be assisted by coach Manu Iñigo and scouting coach Jose Presbiterio.
Bhong Baribar heads the team’s basketball operations.