Tanduay’s MPBL stint hinges on grassroots development

MANILA, Philippines — Tanduay Distillers Inc. will push for grassroots development of basketball through Batangas in the new Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

"When we formed Tanduay Athletics, we had grassroots youth development as one of its major thrusts," Tanduay Distillers Inc. president Lucio "Bong" Tan  Jr. said.

"We believe we can give equal opportunities to aspiring basketball talents from the cities and the regions through MPBL," he said.

The MPBL features teams that represent a province, city or municipality in a home-and-away setup, where players get to play in front of hometown fans.

Each team is required to have at least three players who are homegrown to the area they represent. Tanduay Distillers’ alcohol refinery Absolut Distillers Inc. has been operating for 26 years in Lian, Batangas. 

Batangas started their MPBL campaign on a high note after winning over the Valenzuela Classic and Bataan Defenders.

Former PBA players Val Acuna and Lester Alvarez paced Batangas-Tanduay.

They will next face Imus on February 10 at the Imus City Sports Complex.