THE 2018 MBL Open basketball championship finally comes off the wraps today (April 27) with an early battle between defending champion V Hotel-La Consolacion College Manila and title contender Wang’s Ballclub-Asia Tech at the CCP gym in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Former MBL standout and now Kia mainstay Dylan Ababou has been invited to grace the opening ceremony, along with MBL chairman Alex Wang.
Ababou played for MBL champion University of Santo Tomas under coach Pudo Jarencio.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of our league, which is now on its 19th year,” said Wang, a long-time sports patron dating back to his ESQ Marketing days in the PBL.
This year, Wang hopes to continue to provide a venue for young players seeking to make it to the big leagues and veterans wanting to stay in the game.
To be handled by coach Bong de la Cruz and manager Jimi Lim, the Blue Royals will be bannered by veterans Francis Camacho, James Castro, Mel Mabigat, Erwin Sta. Maria, Floyd Dedicatoria, Mark Lagrimas, John Sheriff and imports Jimmy Brown and Som Managor.
LaCo mainstays Thor Grealy, Jesse Bardaje, Arwil Talag, Wesley Martin, Kim Muñoz, TJ Cariño, Lawrence Lopez, Karl Marquez, Jeff Pahila, Edward Batac and Gielo Latoreno will also see action in the tournament supported by Star Bread, Gerry’s Grill, Dickies Underwear and PRC Couriers.
“We are very thankful to Sister Maria Luz F. Mijares, OSA, and Athletic Director Andy Cristobal of La Consolacion and manager Jimi Lim for giving our players the opportunity to further hone their skills through participation in established league, like the MBL,” said De la Cruz.
Wang’s Ballclub, which is also teaming up with reigning LACUAA champion Asia Tech, will also parade a young and battle-tested lineup under coach Pablo Lucas.
Leading Wang’s-Asia Tech are Mar Reyes, Mark Montuano, Brandon Jordan, King dela Cruz, Stephen Torralba, Reinier Quingga, Argen Sabalza, Edmark Padua, Francis Basbas, Jay-ar Dollosa, Dexter Frial, Julius Frial, Marvin Altarejos, Macky Tobias, Damian Lasco and import Jamal Tomas.
Both school-teams—La Consolacion and Asua Tech—are no pushovers.
La Consolacion reached the semifinals of the ninth Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association basketball tournament, posting a respectable 8-4 win-loss record last year.
In 2013, LCCM became the fourth team to win the ISAA basketball title after Lyceum of the Philippines (2009, 2010), Technological Institute of the Philippines (2011) and Philippine Merchant Marine School ( 2012).
The Blue Royals finished runner-up to PATTS Sea Horses in the ISAA Season 8 in October, 2016.
Last year, Asia Tech defeated Trace College, 88-86, in the finals to capture the senior division championship in the 2017 LACUAA at the San Sebastian College gym-Canlubang.
The Sta. Rosa City-based Jaguars of managers Shelalin Guden and Cres Indino finished with seven wins and only one loss—a one-point overtime setback to the Stallions at the close of the elimination.