Mas mabilis, matatag at batang grupo ang matutunghayan sa Mindoro Team sa pagbubukas ng Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season.
Ibinida ni team owner Justin Tan ang bagong bihis na Tamaraws, higit at may bagong major supporter ang koponan sa katauhan ni Mayor Jennifer Cruz ng Pola, Oriental Mindoro.
Magsisilbing co-owner ng koponan si Cruz, dating actress, print model, producer at beauty queen (Mrs. Universe Philippines 2015). Tumapos ang Mindoro sa 9-21 sa nakalipas na Lakan Cup.
Tawi-Tawi, niyanig ng magnitude 5.0 na lindol
Ayon kay Tan, ipinagbigay alam na niya ang pagsama ni Cruz, screen name Ina Alegre, kay MPBL founder at CEO Manny Pacquiao, upang makatuwang sa koponan sa liga na naudlot bunsof ng pandemic na COVID-19.
Iginiit ni Cruz na may pribado ring kompanta sa Mimaropa (Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) ang nagpahayag ng pagnanais na maging bahagi ng koponan na suportado rin ng 7A Sports.
Nagbigay din ng suporta sa Tamaraws ang LGU partners na sina Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon at Board Member Mikan Leachon.
Mismong si Tan ang tatayong head coach sa Tamaraws na pinangungunahan nina dating national team member Mac Baracael at prized find Rodel Vaygan, napabilang sa MPBL All-Star.
“I want a young, running team,” sambit ni Tan. “I hope to find hidden gems from the other school leagues like the NAASCU (National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities), UCBL (Universities and Colleges Basketball League), at NCAA-South.”
Nasa koponan din sina Richard Abanes, Raymond Matias and homegrowns Kerr Hastley Bangeles, Khen Osicos, Jay Axalan, King Astrero at Francis Nathaniel Acedillo.
“Our goal is to improve on our standing and make the playoffs,” pahayag ni Tan.
