ILOILO City – The University of the Philippines’ Fighting Maroons is looking forward to the experience they will gain in their two-game exhibition match with Elite Lab in Iloilo City and Passi City this weekend.
The two teams will first face each other at the City of Passi Arena at 3 p.m. this afternoon, which is free to the public, while Iloilo City match is to be held at University of San Agustin Gym at 4 p.m. on Sunday, where some tickets are still available.
According to Fighting Maroons head coach Goldwyn Monteverde, his players does not mind playing consecutive games in as many days around the country as they look forward for a title repeat in the upcoming UAAP men’s basketball season.
The Fighting Maroons is participating in three different pre-season tournaments in Manila namely FilOil EcoOil 15th Pre-Season Cup, Universities and Colleges Basketball League and PinoyLiga Cup Collegiate Division.
“Maganda naman ‘yung mga nakukuha naming exposure for everybody,” Monteverde said. “Itong mga pre-season tournaments and exhibition games ang wala sa amin last season.”
“Kaya naman lahat ng tsansa to build the team by playing in other leagues and friendly games, malaking tulong for the coming UAAP basketball season as we go for title repeat,” he added.
Monteverde has yet to finalize the Fighting Maroons roster that will compete against Elite Lab but Ilonggo Gerry Abadiano and Bacolodnon Harold Alarcon are sure to be part of the UP team.
They will be taking on an Elite Lab, which is to be led by two former UAAP foreign players Chibueze Ikeh and Emmanuel Ojuola. The squad is to be handled by Abadiano’s former head coach at St. Robert International School Panda Rockets in John Guanco.
Also part of the team are Marvin Cuerbo, John Lester Amagan, Roy Oscar Jacinto, Zaldy Patizar, Gwyn Miles Pendon, Rolen John Pantin and Negrense Irele Galas, which is reportedly one of the target recruits of the Fighting Maroons.
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.
“Our players are very excited. They were training really hard since they learned that they will have two exhibition matches against UP,” said Elite Lab co-founder Eugene Chua. “They look forward to the experience and learning they will get from the UP players.”/PN
