MANILA – Western Visayas will be well represented in the NCAA Season 100 men’s seniors basketball tournament. Nine players from the region were lined up ahead of the season opener this Saturday.
Bacolod City has the greatest number of Region 6 players in the current NCAA roster with three, followed by Iloilo City with two, and Iloilo Province, Aklan, Capiz, and Negros Occidental with one each.
Defending champions San Beda University Red Lions has the most number of Region 6-based players with three in John Bryan Sajonia (Pavia, Iloilo), Menard Songcuya (Iloilo City), and Zedjay Etulle (Makato, Aklan).
University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas has two Western Visayas-based players in its roster namely Nathaniel Sevilla and Shawn Michael Orgo, both from Bacolod City.
Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals also has two players from Region 6 in Joshua Devara from Iloilo City and Erlan Umpad from Roxas City, Capiz.
College of St. Benilde Blazers has one in rookie Irele Galas from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, and Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers also has one in Bacolodnon Lance Benitez.
Mart James Barrera, who hails from Tanjay City in Negros Oriental and formerly of Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, is also part of the Heavy Bombers roster.
Other teams competing in the upcoming NCAA season are Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, San Sebastian College Golden Stags, Mapua University Cardinals, Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates, and Arellano University Chiefs.
Action will begin on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena with the Red Lions facing the Pirates at 2:30 p.m. and the Blazers battling the Cardinals at five in the afternoon./PN
