MANILA – Three Western Visayas-based players will be competing in the Mindanao Leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup that began on Wednesday at the Ipil Provincial Gymnasium in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Ilonggo guard Jaypee Belencion and Aaron Jeruta will be among the players for the JPS Zamboanga City, while Bacolodnon wing player Arben Dionson has suited up for the Iligan Archangels.
The 6-foot-1 Belencion previously played for Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Developmental League; and Meralco Bolts and GlobalPort Batang Pier.
The three-point specialist returned to Tanduay, Hog’s Breath, and IWalk Chargers. He also suited up for Pasay Voyagers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and saw action in Chooks-To-Go 3×3 basketball.
Jeruta, on the other hand, competed for the Cento Escolar University Scorpions in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities men’s collegiate basketball and PBA Developmental League. He has represented the Go-for-Gold San Juan Knights in the MPBL before moving to the Iloilo City United Royals.
Meanwhile, Dionson was a former standout of Handumanan National High School in his high school years and with Carlos Hilado State College during his collegiate years.
Dionson tested the waters in Manila as he tried out with the De La Salle University Green Archers but ended up with Lyceum Pirates. He acquired by Bacolod City Master Sardines in the MPBL but used sparingly.
Zamboanga and Iligan were just two of the nine teams in the Mindanao Leg aside from Kapatagan Buffalo Braves, Misamis Oriental Brew Autoritea, Jumbo Plastic-Basilan Peace Riders, Pagadian Explorers, Roxas Vanguards, Alza Alayon Zamboanga, and Clarin Sto Niño.
The winner of the Mindanao Leg is set to challenge Visayas Leg champion KCS Computer Specialist-Mandaue City for the right to be called as tournament champion./PN
