Metropolitan Basketball Association (1998-2002)

[AnthonyServinio]

LINK: Remembering the LBC Batangas Blades 2001 MBA National Champions

[AnthonyServinio]

LINK: Review the final year (or to be more precise, half-year) of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) in 2002.

[Emon74]

Here's a prize find, Metroball's 3rd year, the MBA's 2000 Season Teams Preview, Off-Season Changes and Transactions. (1st Part)

Batangas Blades
The Blades of Coach Bong Ramos. Acquired Oliver Agapito from the Pangasinan Waves and Tonyboy Espinosa, who didnt renew his pack with Mobiline.
Other players: Ralph Rivera, Tyrone Bautista, Eddie Laure, Maoi Roca, Matt Makalintal, Lenny Reyes, Jeffrey Sanders, Fil-Am Stephen Antonio and Christoper Corbin.

Laguna Lakers
Bring in the tandem of Ramon Fernandez and Ed Cordero to oversee the massive team build up, Fernandez will serve as team consultant while Cordero was appointed head coach.
Acquired former Purefoods guard Genesis Sasuman, rookie center Christian Nicdao, ex-dragon Roel Bravo and Fil-Am Jeffrey Flowers
Other players: Oscar Simon, Rolando Basilides, Michael Garcia and veteran big men Alvin Teng and Cris Bade.

Manila Metrostars
Management's decision to "sell" Celedon Camaso to the Mobiline Phone Pals for P7 million triggered coach Louie Alas' resignation. Boysie Zamar now calls the shots.
Filling in for Camaso is former CDO forward Dino Manuel, the Metrostars also took in rookie Joel Co, and defense specialists Erwin Framo.
Aside from MVP Alex Compton and Rommel Adducul, other Manila Cagers are Augustus Caesar Brown, Nandy Garcia, June Longalong, Freche Ang and Jonathan Brines. still on the injured list are Peter Martin and guard Jonathan Serrano.

Nueva Ecija Patriots
New faces are Ariel Garcia, Billy Bansil and Rolof Linagco, back in harness for the Patriots are Dodong Postanes, Sonny Manucat, Jerome Chaneco and Eric Gascon.
The Patriot's hope are guard Willie Miller, enforcer Joel Gaspar, and two dependable big men - Dave Bautista and Bryant Punzalan.

Pasig-Rizal Pirates
Mentored by Joel Banal. Acquired Dorian Pena from the free agent pool, added sweet-shooting Armando Malabanan in a one-on-one trade that sent Lowell Briones to the Socsargen Marlins. tapped Warren Ybanez who last played for Boom Powder Detergents in the 1999 PBL season. and got Ryan Gamboa from Negros.
Built around franchise player Bong Ravena, The Pirates will have Pena work side-by-side with former Laker Jovy Sese and Michael Otto. Other Pasig-Rizal cagers include Jonathan De Guzman, Francis Adriano, Gilbert Castillo, Patrick Benedicto and Fil-Canadian John Dumont.

Pampanga Dragons
New Recruits were Valentin Domingo, Melvin Taguines and playmaker Junel Mendiola, rookie Jay Robles. Bonnie Garcia assumed the head coaching post while Romeo Lopez, who took over on an interim basis, slid to assistant coach.
Aside from Bong Alvarez and Angelo David, the Dragons of note were Ato Morano, Andy De Guzman, Ernesto Ballesteros and Gabby Cui.

San Juan Knights
With Gherome Ejercito's exit, Chito Victolero is now the lone veteran point guard of the Knights.
Boost of three Fil-Americans Brune Dacia, Philip Newton and Kalani Ferreria
The two towering big men of coach Philip Cezar, Bonel Balingit and Omanzie Rodriguez will remain with the team, along with its top gun Chris Calaguio. others in the San Juan team are Danilo Capobres, Randy Alcantara, Vilmer Banares and Macky De Joya.

[Emon74]

(2nd Part)

Surigao Miners
New Coach Jimmy Mariano infused young blood to the team, tapping former UST swingman Richard Melencio.
Only legitimate center is Manny Victorino, at 42, may need help from incoming sophomore Ferdinand Rodriguez and newly-acquired John Velasco, who previously played for the Pangasinan Presidents.
Apollo Lim is expected to share the leadership role for the talent-deprived Surigao Quintet, responsible for making the team run more are playmakers Ed Pimentel ans Ramon Regidor, whom Surigao got from the dispersal draft pool. while Leody Garcia and Sonny Toring can also provide offense from time to time.

Socsargen Marlins
Aside from the hardworking, ever reliable cager in Maximo Delantes, the Marlins have three-point shooter Dino Pastor, Aldriche Reyes, Godfrey Cosio, Miko Santos, John Flores and big man Chandler Donaldson.
Helping out the veterans of new coach Willie Generalao, who replaced Biboy Ravanes as the squad's head coach, are newcomer Lowell Briones, rookie playmaker Angelo Velasco and Joselito Celiz, Lito Aguilar as well as ex-Cebu Gem Nilo Quirante.

Cagayan De Oro Amigos
Coach Arlene Rodriguez' veterans are playmaker Richard Ticzon, Peter Naron, Norman Gonzales, Jojo Martin and Saturnino Garrido
Nick Jagabat and Roma James Laygo gave quality minutes for the Amigos last year, and new recruit Edwin Manabat can now showcase his inside game.

Iloilo Megavoltz
The boys of coach Danny Gavieres added five new faces into the team, former UP slotman Allan Gamboa, Nestor Echano, Allan Salangsang, Roland Panaguiton and Marlon Basco.

Cebu Gems
Fil-Am Matt Mitchell, the Squad's leading scorer and rebounder last season, will have to get more scoring support from locals Stephen Padilla, Michael Manigo, center Arnold Gamboa and newly-acquired Fil-Am Kenny Evans.
While the Gems of coach Tonichi Yturri lost Wainwright and Hontiveros, they still are a tall squad aside from Mitchell and Gamboa, they have Jan Montalbo, Homer Se and Giovanni Pineda as well as Richard Caliao.

Negros Slashers
Fil-Ams Dorian Pena, Eulo Regala and Dean Labayen are gone with the team, the Slashers will now rely solely on local players, 1998 MVP awardee John Ferriols, Johnedel Cardel and Romeo Dela Rosa,, who will now play alongside younger brother Reuben.
Playmaker Maui Huelar will get help from Chris Dennis Madrid, who was released by the Batangas Blades. other Negros cagers are Leo Bat-og, Reynel Hugnatan, Karlos Primero, Edgar Ignacio and John Lim.

Davao Eagles
Davao will have to be contented with its roster led by last year's Discovery of the Year awardee Felix Belano, rebounding demon Marlon Piodo and three point shooters Aldrin Barola, Rafael Santos and newly-acquired Gonzalo Catalan.
the Eagles boosted their unit after recruiting several hotshots fromt he collegiate recruit in the south led by Ian Bayot, Jesse Lumantas and David Cabrera.
Aside from Belano and Piodo, Coach Francis Rodriguez can lean on veteran Bong Marata, Christopher De Jesus, Bong Solomon and Jomar Tierra.

[AnthonyServinio]

LINK: Almost ten years after, the spirit of the MBA is very much alive today in 18 gentlemen!

[AnthonyServinio]

LINK: How did the MBA teams come up with their monikers? Find out more from this 1999 magazine article by clicking here.

[AnthonyServinio]

Tribute to MR. RUBEN C. SOLON
Team Owner, Socsargen Marlins


IT’S EASTER Sunday. While the whole of Christianity is celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Filipino basketball community is grieving the loss of two gentlemen during the Holy Week who in their own way have made great contributions to the sport. READ MORE.