General Santos, Bataan make MPBL debut
Debuting teams General Santos City and Bataan clash at 7 p.m. as the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) resumes its fourth season at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Traditional powerhouse San Juan tests the mettle of Bacolod Bingo Plus in the nightcap at 9.
The GenSan Warriors, including homegrown actor Gerald Anderson, are predicted to meet stiff opposition from the Bataan Risers, who’ll be led by James Castro, Ronjay Lastimosa and Arvie Bringas.
Expected to provide firepower for the Warriors are Mark Cruz, Elvin Chan, Dhon Reverente and Marlon Gomez.
The San Juan Knights, the 2018 Datu Cup champions, have been tagged as slight picks over the Bacolodnons, who pulled off a 67-57 stunner over Imus Bandera on May 2 despite the absence of veteran Mark Yee.
Sans Yee, Jhan Mchale Nermal, Jeramer Cabanag and Edrian Cabanag combined their efforts to lift Bacolod to victory.
Yee is expected to play and shore up Bacolod’s defenses against San Juan’s taller frontliners Christian Bunag, Mark Sarangay and Justin Gutang.
The MPBL took a 13-day break in deference to the national elections and has adjusted its schedule for the 21-team fourth season.
Bunched in the Northern Division are Bataan, Caloocan, Makati, Manila, Marikina, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pasig, Quezon Cit, San Juan and Valenuzela.
Clustered in the Southern Division are Bacolod, Bacoor, Batangas City, GenSan, Imus, Laguna, Mindoro, Rizal, Sarangani and Zamboanga.
Meanwhile, MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Sonak Corporation president and CEO Anil Buxani signed an agreement recently making Molten the “official ball partner and sports equipment supplier” of the country’s top regional league being aired on Cignal TV and Facebook Live.
