Nico Beato

Oragons ready for the big stage Look out, NBL Philippines. Another team is raring to showcase its skills in the country’s premiere homegrown basketball league. “The primary reason why the Iriga City Oragons joined the NBL is because back home, one of the direction or goal of the local government unit is sports tourism. Basketball is one of those sports where the people in the community excel,” said Team Manager Atty. Ferdinand Diño. “It also serves as a launching pad with the help of our Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazman. We hope to bring Iriga City to the national level of competition.” Taking the big NBL leap is indeed, a huge challenge on the Oragons’ part. But as Iriga City Sports Operations Officer Lou Borromeo said, they are banking on their prior local experience to help smoothen the transition. “We have the local league, the Iriga City Basketball League; an inter barangay basketball tournament in which we focus on grassroots sports development program.” When it comes to player development, Diño has made it clear which type of aspirants he is looking for. “Skills wise, ang hinahanap namin sa isang player is mataas yung basketball IQ so that he will contribute greatly to the team. Pero ang mas focus namin yung character nung bata. We continuously emphasize na they have to be obedient to the instructions of the coaches.” While the veteran smarts of his staff could play immensely in the NBL, Diño maintains a realistic outlook on what awaits Iriga in their maiden voyage in the league. “To be frank, this is our first time to join a competition of this magnitude. Ang katotohanan dito is this will be a trial and error method eh. But we really prepared well for this. We will give our best effort not just in participating, but to be able to excel in this league.” After all, as their team name suggests, people from Iriga are very capable of rising to the occasion. “Oragon means magaling. Skillful. Excelling. That’s the message we are trying to convey to the team and hopefully, the league.” As it currently stands, the Oragons are yet to have a permanent playing court they can call home, but Diño revealed that their neighbors in the province have been giving them an assist. “In Iriga City, our current gymnasium is still being built. By our estimation, we wouldn’t have our own homecourt yet for the second season of the NBL. We are currently negotiating with the local government of Naga City to play our home games at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum. It is about a 45 minute ride from Iriga City.” This early, locals are already buzzing about the Oragons’ participation in the NBL. “Yung isa nga sa mga players namin, during practice, hatid-sundo siya ng mga kabarangay niya,” narrated Diño with a smile. “That player is having his own fan base ngayon pa lang. What more kapag nagsimula na yung season? As a city, Iriga is very excited to see the Oragons.” Witness the beginning of the Oragons’ NBL journey starting on March 9 at 3:30PM from the Santa Rosa Sports Complex to be broadcasted LIVE 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.