IF things go as desired for the Cebu City Niños, Cebuano hoop fans could see Dondon Hontiveros representing his hometown again in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
The Casino Active Alcohol-backed Niños, one of only four expansion teams from the Visayas and Mindanao, is showing interest in acquiring the services of the former University of Cebu stalwart Hontiveros.
Hontiveros rose to national prominence when he anchored the Cebu Gems in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). After that league folded up, he joined and eventually had a stellar career in the PBA.
“Our goal is to really form a solid team of Cebuano players. One of our prospects is Dondon Hontiveros,” Casino Active Alcohol consultant Norberto “Titing” Manalili told SunStar Cebu after the second day of tryouts in the Capitol Parish Gym yesterday.
Hontiveros suited up for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, which won the 2018 Asean Basketball League (ABL) championship over Mono Vampire Thailand.
The Niños are in the process of determining the final 18-man lineup this week. The team invited players and Cebu-based schools for the four-day tryouts from Sunday to Wednesday.
“So far, the tryout is going well. It was progressive. On the first day, we had around 12 players and on the second day more than 20,” added Manalili.
Jerome Calatrava, vice president of Omega Pro Sports International, said that for the team debut, they will take it one step at a time.
“Our first objective is to make it to the playoffs. If we make it to the playoffs, it’s another objective to go up the ladder,” he said.
The Ninos will join the Davao Occidental Tigers, the Zamboanga Valientes and the Gen. Santos Warriors as the expansion teams from Visayas-Mindanao areas. The next MPBL conference will open on June 12 with 24 teams.
“We look forward for the support from the Cebuanos every time that we have a game. Hopefully they tune-in to the television since all the games will be televised by ABS-CBN,” said Calatrava. “The team will also work to give the fans a good performance every game.”
The Niños will play all but one of the elimination games in Manila. The home and away format will only apply on the playoffs.
Team manager Mark Castillo said that they want to represent the brand of Cebu basketball when they debut in the MPBL, founded by boxing champion and Sen. Manny Pacquiao. (RSC)