Nico Beato

Imus Bandila enters basketball revolution If there was a Grammy Award given to the team that made the most noise in the National Basketball League Philippines offseason, the recognition would probably go to the Imus Bandila. Their decision to join the league sent shockwaves in the local sports scene since it is a well-known fact that their city is very much involved in numerous athletic programs. However, as revealed by Imus City Sports Director Joel Legaspi, there is a simple reason why they elected to field a team in the country’s premiere homegrown amateur basketball league. “The reason kung bakit kami sumali ng NBL kasi naniniwala kami na it’s about time na bigyan ng break ang mga local talents namin na hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon sumali sa big leagues. Hopefully, maging stepping stone ito para makarating sa higher league ang mga local players namin.” It is a vision shared by Mr. Legaspi and NBL’s Senior Officials. Infuse that with each party’s familiarity with one another, and you have a match made in basketball heaven. “Super wala akong naging problema pagdating kila Maam Rhose (Montreal) at Sir Edward (Aquino). Very approachable sila at very willing sila na i-welcome ang Imus sa NBL. In fact, si Edward naman, nakatrabaho ko na sa Imus prior sa NBL. Si Comm Nandy (Garcia) naman, dati ding commissioner namin sa mga liga sa Imus.” “The Flag Capital of the Philippines” becomes the second team based in Cavite, the other being Ballers Club Dasmariñas. Separated by just about a 30 minute ride from each other, Legaspi stated that he is very much looking forward to engage in some friendly competition with their neighboring squad. “So far, wala naman akong problema sa kanila. Magkakakila at magkapitbahay naman kami niyan. Sa totoo nga, two years ago, naging guest team namin ang Ballers sa isang local liga sa Imus.” Make no mistake about it though, Imus is prepared for the NBL battles ahead and are raring to carve their legacy in the hard court. “For the upcoming season, asahan ng mga fans na dito makikita at masho-showcase ang talent ng ating mga kababayan. Aasahan din namin ang suporta niyo sa ating mga local players at tulad nang pagsuporta niyo before, sana i-boost pa natin lalo ngayon para win or lose, ipakita natin na iba ang Imuseño pagadating sa basketball.” Witness what should be another exciting NBL season when action tips off on March 9 from the Santa Rosa Sports Complex to be broadcasted LIVE starting at 3:30PM on Basketball TV, the Net 25 Youtube Channel, eaglenewslive.com, and the league’s official social media account at Facebook.com/NBLPhil. Primetime replays will be aired on Solar Sports. And as recently announced, #AngTahananNgTunayNaHomegrown can now be seen in the global stage via GMA International TV.