After a Cinderella run in the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season, Pangasinan has decided to take a leave of absence for the 2026 campaign.
Head coach Jerson Cabiltes expressed pride in what the Heatwaves accomplished, despite the abrupt pause in the franchise’s MPBL journey.
“My vision as a coach has always been to bring my team all the way. This may not be the ending we fought for, but the fight we showed is more than enough for me to be proud of,” said Cabiltes.
“The way we competed, the growth we displayed, and how we represented Pangasinan are just some of the many achievements this team accomplished both on and off the court in Season 7.”
The decision comes after Pangasinan authored one of the league’s most improbable turnarounds.
Coming off a dismal 12–16 finish in its inaugural MPBL campaign, the Heatwaves caught fire late in the 2025 season to emerge as a legitimate title contender.
Pangasinan finished seventh in the North Division before defeating Ilagan Isabela in the play-in tournament to secure the final playoff berth.
The Heatwaves then shocked the league by upsetting the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the best-of-three quarterfinals, followed by another stunning series win over the highly favored San Juan Knights in the division semifinals.
Their dream run came to an end in the North Division Finals, where Pangasinan was swept by eventual champion Abra SOLID North.
Despite the ending, Cabiltes highlighted the collective effort that fueled the Heatwaves’ breakthrough season.
“To my players, thank you for battling through every challenge and for giving everything you had. Most of all, thank you for trusting me and allowing me to lead you through every obstacle,” he said. “To the fans — the bloodline of every team and the reason we keep pushing — maraming salamat sa inyo.”
He also acknowledged the role of the team’s leadership in Pangasinan’s rise.
“To our management, thank you for the trust, support, and belief in this journey. We would not have made it this far without your leadership,” Cabiltes added.
As Pangasinan steps away from MPBL competition for now, Cabiltes is set to join Titan Ultra’s coaching staff in the PBA, while continuing his duties as head coach of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in the NCAA.
“Now, we continue our journey as we find a new beginning elsewhere,” he said. “The mission and vision remain, and the future is ours to chase.
“Muli, sa lahat ng Pangasinense at sa Heatwaves family, taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong walang sawang suporta.”
