‘No pressure’ for Batangas City in bid for back-to-back MPBL titles

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‘No pressure’ for Batangas City in bid for back-to-back MPBL titles
From battling against 9 teams previously, the Athletics are in for tougher competition as they compete with 25 other squads for the Datu Cup title

MANILA, Philippines – Competition just got toughter in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), but Batangas City Athletics head coach Mac Tan said there was “no pressure” in their bid for back-to-back titles. 

After besting 9 other teams for the inaugural Anta Rajah Cup, the Athletics have their work cut out for them as they battle against 25 squads for the Datu Cup championship. 

Tan and his squad will not be losing sleep, though. 

“No pressure naman,” said Tan when asked if the team feels pressed for another title run in a press conference at the Century Park Hotel in Malate on Monday, June 4. 

Nasa kondisyon na naman sila, maintain na lang.”

(They are already in condition, we just have to maintain it.)

Tan sees the Bataan Risers, San Juan Knights, Mandaluyong El Tigre and Bulacan Kuyas as the closest threats to their championship-retention campaign. 

To keep up with other teams bolstering their lineups, Batangas City tapped the services of former PBA player Bong Galanza and ex-PBA DLeague cogs Sandy Señal and Lucas Tagarda. 

They will add to the championship core of Val Acuña, Teytey Teodoro and Jaymo Eguilos. 

“Hopefully, we will be able to be more competitive this year,” Batangas City team manager Gerre Tee said.

The Datu Cup will feature teams from Cebu, Basilan, Zamboanga, General Santos and Davao and Batangas City Congressman Mario Vittorio “Marvey” Mariño sees this as an opportunity to establish connection in Mindanao.

“Maybe sports will be our connection to Mindanao. This is our chance to bond,” he said.

The Datu Cup kicks off on June 12 at the Araneta Coliseum, with Batangas City playing its first game against the Quezon City Capitals on June 14. – Carla Jazmine B. Molina/Rappler.com

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