Quezon Huskers set to debut at MPBL fifth season with eye on playoffs

By Wena Cruz March 9, 2023 The Huskers with Quezon Provincial officials at the press conference on Wednesday, March 8. (Photo from Provincia...

By Wena Cruz
March 9, 2023

The Huskers with Quezon Provincial officials at the press conference on Wednesday, March 8. (Photo from Provincial Government of Quezon)

LUCENA CITY - The newly formed Quezon Huskers league has joined and is on its way to the Maharlika Philippines Basketball League (MPBL) for the upcoming 2023 season, which begins on March 10.

They will be on the surge and will make their debut in the fifth season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.



Will Gozum, the College of St. Benilde Blazers' current NCAA Most Valuable Player, has joined the the team and will make his professional debut after receiving a Special Guest License from the Games and Amusement Board.

The aforementioned team also includes AJ Madrigal, Brix Ramos, and CJ Catapusan, who won a University Athletic Association of the Philippines title with University of the Philippines in 2021, as well as other star players Allan Beltran from University of the East, Thomas Torres from De La Salle University, Ximone Sandagon, Al Francis Tamsi, Rodel Gravera, and Ken Holmsqvist from Far Eastern University, and RJ Minerva from National University.

The Huskers, who are owned by San Andres, Quezon Mayor Ralph Edward Lim and Quezon Representative Keith Micah Tan, are currently getting ready for the season at UP's Epsilon Chi Center under the guidance of team manager Donn Kapunan and consultant Patrick Gregorio.

Team manager Atty. Donn Rico Kapunan, assistant team manager Magnum Membrere, and consultant Patrick Gregorio have worked tirelessly to recruit the best young talent available.

Coach Eric Gonzales said they are determined to make it all the way to the post-season despite having a very limited preparation.

“My concern is that the time we spent in forming a solid team was so short, but I’m hoping and praying to make it to the playoffs” said Gonzales during the press launch on Wednesday.

The governor said that because this is the first time Quezon Province has participated in a national league such as the MPBL, she will provide full support under her leadership and hopes that their participation in the MPBL will help Quezon Province gain recognition not only in sports but also in other areas such as tourism, commerce, and infrastructure.

Homegrown players Paeng Salonga and Topeng Lagrama from Lucena City, Bryant Placino from Lucban, Quezon, and Arjay Paul Dongog from Atimonan, Quezon round out the roster of the team sponsored by JAC Liner, Inc. and Queen Margarette Hotel, with Tubong Quezon as official outfitter.

Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala, who played high school basketball at De La Salle Zobel before joining Team B of the Green Archers, was also harnessed and declared himself ready to bang bodies with the league's big players.