ILOILO City – Elite Lab basketball team is set to challenge University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in a two-day exhibition match in Iloilo City and Passi City later this month.
The two teams will first face each other at the City of Passi Arena at 3 p.m. on July 30, while Iloilo City match is to be held at University of San Agustin Gym at 4 p.m. on July 31.
According to Elite Lab co-founder Eugene Chua, he was thankful to Gametime Sports for considering his team to face the reigning UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball champions.
“”I am very much thankful to (Gametime Sports founder) Ka Ruding (Villaruz) for choosing us to face UP because, definitely, this was a huge opportunity for our young players,” Chua told Panay News on Tuesday.
“Playing against UP will allow our players to experience the UAAP brand of game first hand. Also they will gain a lot of learnings and experience,” he added.
To make Elite Lab’s friendly games against the Fighting Maroons competitive, Chua said that they have tapped two foreign players in Chibueze Ikeh and Emmanuel Ojoula.
Ikeh was a former member of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, while Ojoula has suited up for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws last UAAP season.
Leading the way for Elite Lab were Irele Galas, Marvin Cuerbo, John Lester Amagan, Roy Oscar Jacinto, Zaldy Patizar, Gwyn Miles Pendon and Rolen John Pantin.
Completing the lineup of head coach John Guanco were Kent John Parreñas, Moisis dela Cruz, Ryan Futalan, RJ Delina, Erlance Pedrita, Ghade Mark Lingga, King James Bardaloza and Laurence Chua.
The Elite Lab recently won championships in the Chairman’s Cup and JB ABL Basketball League and also in the 1st Mayor Joedith C. Gallego Invitational Basketball Tournament in Silay City, Negros Occidental last weekend.
The Fighting Maroons is to be led by Ilonggo guard Gerry Abadiano, who was a former player of Guanco at St. Roberts International Academy Panda Rockets before being recruited to Manila./PN
