MANILA, Philippines -- Nakatutok kaagad sa playoffs ang bagitong Ilagan Isabela Cowboys sa kanilang pagsabak sa MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 7th Season na magbubukas sa Marso 8 sa Capital Arena sa City of Ilagan.
Sumalang ang Cowboys na pinamunuan nina point guard Philip Manalang at homegrowns Allan Mina at Guilmer Dela Torre sa isang one-week training camp.
“I’m very happy, barely two weeks, and the players, including the homegrowns, are already showing chemistry,” ani coach Louie Gonzalez. “They have built a relationship and trust each other.”
Nasa tropa rin sina Mark Dyke, 6-foot-7 Dave Ando, Macoy Marcos, JR Olegario, Joshua Gallano, Joshua Ramirez, Ryan Reyes, Ryan Arenal, Allan Santos at Andre Duremdes, anak ni MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.
Ang mga homegrowns naman ay sina Aldrin Adorno, Shawn Bautista, Efraim Boado at Victor Buraga.
Pinapanalisa rin nila ang paghugot kay Ilagan City icon Val Acuna.
Bukod sa kanilang thrice-a-day practices ay sumasailalim din ang Cowboys sa mga roadworks at weight sessions.
Ang Cowboys ay suportado nina team owner Jose Avelino Diaz at Ilagan City Mayor Josemarie Diaz kasama sina Isabela Board member Evyn Jay Diaz at Ilagan Councilor Jayve Evson Diaz.
“I envision a team that could adjust to whatever brand of play they would encounter,” wika ni Gonzales, na coach ng Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers sa NCAA at kasalukuyang pangulo ng Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP).