SA Basilan man, may langit din para sa basketball.

Sa pakikipagtulungan ng pribadong sektor at Local Government Unit (LGUs) umaasa ang pamunuan at players ng Basilan Steel na mababago ang pagtingin at pananaw ng sambayan sa lalawigan sa kanilang pagsabak sa MPBL Lakandula Cup.

“First, we would like to win more games this conference, make the playoffs and go all the way from there,” pahayag ni Basilan Steel team manager Jackson Chua sa pagbisita ng koponan sa “Usapang Sports” ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) nitong Huwebes sa National Press Club sa Intramuros.

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“Second, and more importantly, we would like to showcase the beauty of Basilan and its friendly people,” ayon kay Chua.

Kasama niyang nakiisa sa lingguhang sports forum na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Community Basketball Association (CBA), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), NPC, at HG Guyabano Tea Left Drink ni Mike Atayde, sina head coach Jerson Cabiltes, former PBA standout Jonathan Uyloan, Dennis Daa, Gab Dagangon,Hessed Gabo, Jhaps Bautista at Chris Dumapig.

Inamin ni Cabiltes na mabigat ang responsibilidad ng koponan hindi lamang sa sports development, bagkus ang mabigyan ng positibong imahe ang Basilan na nasadlak sa iba’t ibang isyu at karahasan.

“There’s no better way to do it than now thru sports, basketball in particular,” pahayag ni Cabiltes.

Kumpiyasan sina Chua at Cabiltes na mahihigitan ng Basilan ang naging kampanya sa nakalipas na season, sa pagtataguyod ngayon nina dating Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

Governor at Basilan Cong. Mujiv Hataman, Mayor Julz Hataman at councilor Hegem Furigay, kasama si sportsman Jimmy de la Cruz ng Jumbo Plastics.

“Last year, the team finished second to the last in the Southern Division with a 7-18 win-loss record . We learned a lot of lessons, and we used it to form a championship-caliber team,” pahayag ni Cabiltes.

“We know we have to win to be able to achieve our goal of creating a new image for Basilan and provide a new inspiration for the people there, expecially the youth,” samba ni Cabiltes, gumabay sa Hope Christian High School sa kampeonato sa Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF) 19-under title kontra sa liyamadong Chiang Kai Shek nitong Nobyembre.

Aniya, hindi mapapahiya ang kanilang mga tagahanga sa ilalarga ng Basilan, higit ang kanilang depensa.

“Most of the players we picked are known for their offensive prowess. They’re good shooters. But in our first game against Bicol, we surprised them with our defense. Yung defense namin mag-translate sa offense,” aniya.

Iginiit ni Cabiltes, kasama ang coaching staff na sina Steve Tiu at St. Clare Colege mentor Jino Manansala, na tiyak na mapapalaban sila sa Davao, Zamboanga, Batangas, Bacoor at General Santos sa South Division.

Sasandig din sila sa karanasan ng kanilang mga pambatong players.

“Thru the MPBL, we want to show the world the beauty of Basilan. It’s a nice place at sobrang ganda. Hindi totoo yun lahat na nababalitaan natin dito sa Manila,” ayon kay Cabiltes.

Kabilang din sa Basilan Steels sina Jay Collado, Alleyn Bulanadi.Anthony Bringas, Bobby Balucanag, Jett Vidal, Shaq Alanes, Michole Sorela, Irven Palencia, Junjie Hallare, Darwin Lunor, Jhaps Bautista, Dennis Daa, Harold Ng, Mark Trinidad, Ar Raouf Julkipli at Philip Manalang.