Imus-Buracai de Laiya has had a Cinderella run in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational.
Unheralded in the tournament, the Bandera went on a 4-1 tear in a tight Pool D to secure top seed.
Then in the quarterfinals last Tuesday evening, Imus stunned one of the tournament-favorites in Bicol-LCC, 74-57, to make it to the Final Four.
For head coach Manny Torralba, this was their way of proving the doubters wrong – that, despite having a veteran-laden team, they can keep step with their younger opponents.
“Maraming nagsasabi sa team namin na veterans pero lack of energy. Amazing! Pinakita nila na mas may energy sila kesa sa Bicol,” said the veteran head coach. “Bicol is a tough team to beat pero nilagay lang namin sa puso namin yung laro eh.
“Switching at di ko akalain na hindi sila maka-score ng 10 points. Yun yung key na lumayo kami at determination,” he continued Bicol only had six points in the final frame.
Torralba himself has had quite a ride in the tournament.
Last December 15, Torralba collapsed on the court after getting into a confrontation with an official. He had low blood sugar and high blood pressure that resulted to him fainting.
And it was a rallying call for Imus to come together for their head coach.
“Nagulat din ako nun pero kailangan namin mag-focus nun. Buti na lang okay si coach,” said Leo Najorda, a 16-year pro.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m very thankful talaga na mataas na tong na-achieve ko,” added Torralba “Very lowly ako, tinatanong kung sino ba ako. I’m very thankful sa coaching staff ko because nandun sila palagi.”
This achievement is definitely a highlight for Torralba.
Back in the 2019-20 Lakan Season, he was part of Sarangani — the lowliest team in the league that figured in controversy and produced only one win in 30 games.
So when he decided to leave the Marlins, he was contacted by Imus – a team that also figured in controversy during the Lakan season.
It was a match made in heaven as both Torralba and Imus wanted to write their redemption story.
“Nung tinakeover ko ito, na-relegate ako as team manager ng Imus at hindi kami nagkaintindihan ng head coach dun,” he recounted. “Yung Imus din nagkaroon ng bad reputation. Sabi ko sa Imus, we want to close it out and rebuild. Ngayon, binabago namin yung image.
“Ito na yung Imus na makikita nila until the regular season.”
For his part, 39-year-old Najorda is hungry to win it all as well.
In his basketball career that started in San Sebastian back in the year 2000, he has won in every league he has played in. This time around, he wants to add the MPBL to his collection.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kasi hanggang ngayon kaya ko pa maglaro,” said Najorda, who dropped 23 points against Bicol. “May champion ako sa NCAA na dalawa, isa sa PBL, at dalawa sa PBA.
“Gusto ko sa lahat ng league na nasalihan ko, may champion ako para pag-retire ko, may maiwan ako sa mga anak ko at sa pamilya ko.”
Now, Imus will get to compete against the league’s upper echelon. And win or lose against Nueva Ecija tonight at 10:00PM, Torralba hopes that he and the Bandera have proven themselves.
“Achievement na namin na pumasok sa quarters,” he said.
“It’s a blessing for us. It’s Christmas time.”
