Ilagan Isabela Cowboys join MPBL's 7th Season

MANILA, Philippines — The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys formally joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League family on Saturday, February 1, raising the competing teams for the MPBL 7th Season.

MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Ilagan Isabela team owner Jose Avelino Diaz signed the franchise agreement in Paranaque City.

Present during the signing ceremony are Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III, Ilagan City Mayor Josemarie Diaz,  Isabela Provincial Board member Evyn Jay Diaz, Ilagan City Councilor Jayve Evson Diaz, Ilagan City General Service Ricky Laggui, Ilagan City councilors Antonio Montereal Jr., Rommel Ballesteros and Ariel Tabangcura, and Ilagan Isabela Cowboys coach Louie Gonzalez.

Representing the MPBL are Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Legal Counsel Atty. Glenn Gacal.

"It goes down to the community, to the province of Isabela and the City of Ilagan's community. Kilala na kami na die-hard sa sports so we saw it as an opportunity to help our homegrown talents to give them the inspiration and the opportunity to grow as well and siyempre alam natin pag basketball very passionate Lalo na sa city naming and it's high time for us to reclaim the moniker that we are one of the sports tourism hubs in the North. We want to showcase our sports facility, particularly the Capital Arena which can host around 10,000 people. We want to promote the city and the province," said Diaz.

"MPBL has a very big fanbase in our city. We have a lot of talents from the province that play in the MPBL. We have been dreaming of an opportunity like this, kaya nung nag-open for expansion we're very excited and matutupad naming ang pangarap ng Isabela and the city," added Diaz, baring that they have been forming a very good team composed of passionate and sincere players."

Ilagan City Mayor Josemarie Diaz said they are very happy that basketball enthusiasts, especially the fans, and the province's youth will get the chance to aspire and develop their talents.

Ilagan Isabela will be bracketed in the North Division, where it will have to contend with powerhouses led by reigning back-to-back champion Pampanga and former titlists San Juan (2019) and Nueva Ecija (2022).

The Quezon Huskers, last year's losing finalist, former champions Batangas City (2018) and Davao Occidental (2021) and returning Basilan Starhorse head the South Division.

Duremdes said the final list of the 7th Season participants will be known after the deadline for submission of intention to join lapses on midnight Saturday.

"We're delighted and excited. It's a sign that the league is growing with an expansion team. We thank the City of Ilagan Isabela headed by Mayor Jay Diaz and Gov. Albano putting up a team, that we feel will be competitive under Coach Louie (Gonzalez).

According to Gonzalez, head coach of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers until last year's NCAA season, they are just finalizing the lineup of the Cowboys for the 7th Season that will run through December.