Zamboanga Valientes

Zamboanga Valientes
Zamboanga Valientes logo
LeagueMVBA (2006–2008)
NBC (2006–2008)
Liga Pilipinas (2008–2011)
NBL–Pilipinas (2018–2021)
MPBL (2018)
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 (2019–2022)
Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup (2021–present)
PBA 3x3 (2021–2022)
ABL (2023)
The Asian Tournament (2024–present)
Founded2006
HistoryZamboanga Latinos
(2006–2008)
Zamboanga Amores
(2008–2010)
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Valientes
(2018)
Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV
(2020–present)
LocationZamboanga City, Philippines
Team colorsRed, Dark Violet, White, Black
       
Head coachBobedick delos Santos

The Zamboanga Valientes, also known as the Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV, are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The team has competed in numerous leagues since its founding in 2006, and is currently competing in The Asian Tournament.

History

The Zamboanga Valientes was established in 2006 by Lando Navarro as a means to give a platform for Zamboangueño basketball players.[1] The team has participated in various commercial and regional leagues including the National Basketball Conference in 2006, and the Liga Pilipinas in 2008.[2] After Lando's death, the club would be took over by Cory Navarro and Mike Venezuela who is affiliated with MLV Accounting.[1]

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

See also: Zamboanga Master Sardines

The team played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines Valientes as an expansion team for the 2018–19 season.[3] Due to management issues, however, the MPBL side was split and relaunched to become the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines (later renamed as the Zamboanga Master Sardines) during the latter part of the season in 2019.[4]

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3

The Zamboanga Valientes was among the pioneer teams of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league which played in the inaugural season in 2018.[5]

The Family's Brand Sardines and the Valientes, which had prior shared history in the MPBL, fielded separate teams in the 2020 Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 season.

For the 2020 season which was organized within a "bubble" format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Valientes fielded an all-Zamboangeño team, with all players native to Zamboanga City.[5]

Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup

The Zamboanga Valientes as JPS Zamboanga City MLV fielded a team at the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup.[6]

PBA 3x3

Zamboanga Valientes received an invitation to participate in the inaugural season of the PBA 3x3 league in 2021.[7] It became the first non-franchise team to confirm its participation in the PBA league.[8][9] The team took a leave of absence for the second conference of the season due to its roster being hampered by injuries.[10]

ASEAN Basketball League

On November 26, 2022, it was announced that the Valientes would be the Philippine representatives for the ABL Invitational 2023.[11]

Other

After the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 season, Zamboanga Valientes decided to begin competing in international tournaments.[12] They competed and won the title in the 3X3 Christmas Hustle which was organized in Canberra, Australia in December 2020.[13]

Management

The Zamboanga Valientes is supported by local businesspeople Cory Navarro and Mike Venezuela and had sanction from former Zamboanga City mayor Beng Climaco.[5] Joseph Romarante is the team's vice president.[14]

Season by season

Champions Season champions Runners-up Finals berth
Season League Regular season Playoffs Head coach
Finish Played Wins Losses Win%
2023 ABL 6th 14 7 7 .500 Did not qualify Expedito de los Santos

2024 roster

Zamboanga Valientes roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From
G 5 Philippines Alfaro, Peter 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) San Beda
F 11 Philippines United States Benson, AJ 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) College of St. Benilde
SF 24 Philippines Ferrer, Jerome 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
G/F 3 Philippines Gracia, Joewish 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
G 12 Philippines Esa, Das 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 30 – (1994-11-12)12 November 1994
G 17 Philippines Alcantara, Job 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
SF 14 Philippines Salim, Med 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
G 16 Philippines United States Johnson, Franky 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 75 kg (165 lb) 31 – (1993-08-15)15 August 1993
G 8 Philippines Lingganay, Rudy (C) 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) 77 kg (170 lb) 38 – (1986-08-05)5 August 1986 Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters
C 15 United States Cousins, DeMarcus (WI) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 122 kg (269 lb) 34 – (1990-08-13)13 August 1990 Taiwan Mustangs
F 28 Philippines Belo, Mac 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) 84 kg (185 lb) 31 – (1993-02-12)12 February 1993 Free agent
F/C 10 Senegal Diouf, Malick (WI) 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in)
G 13 Philippines Tolomia, Mike 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) 82 kg (181 lb) 31 – (1993-01-06)6 January 1993
PF 45 United States Evans, Nick 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) 113 kg (249 lb) 36 – (1988-04-14)14 April 1988
F 4 United States Akpuru, Ik (WI) 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Head coach
  • Philippines Expedito de los Santos
Assistant coach(es)
  • Philippines Paolo Romero
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (WI) World import
  • (AI) ASEAN heritage import
  • Injured Injured

This is the lineup of the Valientes for The Asian Tournament.[15]

Notable players

References

  1. ^ a b "Zamboanga Valientes to join ABL Invitational 2023". Manila Bulletin. November 26, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  2. ^ "Zamboanga Valientes, the dark horse of Chooks 3x3". Manila Bulletin. October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  3. ^ Isaga, JR (June 9, 2018). "MPBL newcomer Zamboanga ready to make noise". Rappler. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  4. ^ "'Valientes' to be re-launched as Zambo Family's Brand Sardines". www.pna.gov.ph. December 29, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Terrado, Reuben (October 14, 2020). "Zamboanga Valientes MLV to field homegrown players in Chooks 3x3". Spin.ph. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  6. ^ Luarca, Roy (July 12, 2021). "MLV Group backs Zamboanga Valientes' sports programs". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Lozada, Bong (March 26, 2021). "Zamboanga Valientes set to join PBA 3×3". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Zamboanga City Valientes joining PBA 3×3 tourney". Tempo. March 26, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "'Tausug Hero' looking to make mark in PBA 3X3". ABS-CBN News. November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  10. ^ Bacnis, Justine (February 14, 2022). "Zamboanga Valientes take leave of absence for PBA 3x3 second conference". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  11. ^ "Zamboanga Valientes to join ABL Invitational 2023". Philstar.com. November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  12. ^ "Zamboanga Valientes MLV to compete in Australia". Manila Bulletin. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  13. ^ Luarca, Roy (December 13, 2020). "Zamboanga Valientes tops Australia 3x3 tilt, makes Philippine basketball history". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  14. ^ Yalung, Brian (January 1, 2023). "Zamboanga Valientes set modest goal in ABL Invitational 2023 stint". PTV Sports. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  15. ^ Payo, Jasmine (April 14, 2024). "Zamboanga Valientes out to contend in Asian tilt, eye Dwight Howard as import". RAPPLER. Retrieved August 6, 2024.