LET’S GET IT ON – Pilipinas Legends and the Mangosteen Magic

By Neil Bravo
A new basketball league is born and it’s called Pilipinas Legends.
My good friend Chito Loyzaga blew into town yesterday to formally announce the birth of Pilipinas Legends which will be the new playground of retired PBA players.
Chito, himself a PBA legend with that barrel-sized upper body, is wearing a familiar hat as league Commissioner. Being called that title is almost like second name to him having served as commissioner of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). He even served as commissioner for a baseball league for a time.
Fact is, he is even twitted as candidate to be the next PBA Commissioner.
“I’m in demand,” said Chito over lunch yesterday. Aside from the PBA Legends, he is also a consultant of Blackwater in the PBA which recently beat fellow expansion team Kia last Sunday. I pressed on how much he is paid for that. He said quickly: “For a song.”
Knowing Chito, he simply loves the sport.
Back to Pilipinas Legends, it’s exciting to know that the first team to sign up for the league is a Davao-based company—DMI Medical Supply Inc., makers of the very popular MX3.
Emilia Mendoza, CEO of DMI, formally inked the dotted line with Pilipinas Legends president Dick Balajadia yesterday and even came up ready with an MX3 jersey with the number 1 on its back.
MX3 should give Dabawenyos something to cheer for and call its very own. The MX3 line-up also looked awesome. Imagine this. Four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio will be renewing his old role as “The Captain” with MX3 along with former PBA stars Jojo Lastimosa, Zandro Limpot, Dennis Espino and Victor Pablo. Throw in also reliable Zaldy Realubit, Rey Evangelista and Sonny Cabatu and you must be drooling now at a very impressive MX3 squad.
The new league will have four squads and by far, two have signed up—MX3 and Goldlife, a networking business also specializing on health and wellness. Chito said they are talking to four to seven companies now including a car dealership and a freight company. The league will also be televised with playdates every Saturday.
Close to signing, Chito said, of the TV deal.
I can just imagine how fun it would be watching Pilipinas Legends. Picture this: Allan Caidic firing three point shots with abandon, Benjie Paras collaring rebounds, Alvin Patrimonio pirouetting to the hoop, or Johnny Abbarientos dishing off no-look passes.
And MX3? Oh you got to love this team the way you love that coffee. It’s not official but I’d love to call that team Mangosteen Magic.
How about that for a home team?
Notes: Listen to “Let’s Get It On with Neil Bravo” on 105.9 Balita FM every Saturday 8-10 a.m. You may send comments and letters to this writer at bravoneil@rocketmail.com.