After a year of hiatus, Iloilo United Royals is returning to Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and is set to compete in the 2021 Chooks-To-Go MPBL Invitational tournament on December in Metro Manila.
The team will be mentored by head coach Eric Gonzales and assisted by Ed Lorenz Dela Torre. Team owner JJ Javelosa said United Royals will also have four holdovers from its 2019 MPBL roster – Ilonggo forward Michael Jay Javelosa and guard Aaron Jeruta and veterans John Mahari and Donald Gumaru.
To recall the four players starred the 2019 season and made impact for the team which is improving every game.
“We are in talks with several players, some from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and others from the collegiate leagues. Some of them have already committed but have yet to sign because of the enhanced community quarantine,” he added.
Apart from Richard Escoto and Rey Publico, who have signed for PBA teams Blackwater Elite and Alaska Aces, respectively, some of the Royals players last season were not handed out new contracts.
The United Royals had an impressive run in its debut season in the Lakan Cup. They finished the elimination round with 18-12 win-loss record. However, they failed to reach the semis after a defeat in the quarterfinals round by Basilan Steel.
Meanwhile, the United Royals will try to outplay neighboring teams from Western Visayas Bacolod Master Sardines and newcomer Negros Muscovados.
The 10-day tournament will also feature powerhouse teams from Davao, Laguna, Caloocan, Sarangani, Bicol, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Imus, Makati, General Santos, and Marikina.IMT Sports
