Iloilo’s JP Maguliano went off on his Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational debut on Saturday afternoon.
The current Emilio Aguinaldo College standout collected a double-double of 10 points and 13 boards to help the United Royals fend off a pesky Negros side at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
And for Maguliano, he is just glad to be called up by United Royals head coach Eric Gonzales as it was his first time to play at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Actually nanggaling ako sa Filbasket then si Coach Eric ininvite ako dito,” shared Maguliano to reporters moments after the 83-77 victory.
“Nakakapanibago kasi second time ko lang mag laro dito sa MOA e. Parang nalulula ako sa sobrang lawak e kasi nanggaling lang ako sa mga small courts na ano e. Sabi ko kakaiba pala dito.“
But according to the 6-foot-2 power forward, he could not have done all of it without the guidance of Chito Jaime and the rest of the veterans in the Iloilo roster.
The 38-year-old Jaime, who had stints with Sta. Lucia, Rain or Shine, Air 21, and Kia in the PBA, along with Aaron Jeruta and Levi Hernandez, provided the much-needed leadership in the Eric Gonzales-coached squad.
“Sobrang thankful kami kasi hindi lang sila yung parang beterano na ano e. Ginaguide nila kami, sobrang thankful kami,” said the 22-year-old Maguliano.
“Narating na nila yung mataas na ano e, ang ginagawa na lang nila shinishare nila sa amin kung ano yung mga experience, ano yung mga dapat gawin at iwasan.”
With Maguliano proving to be a force to be reckoned with inside the paint, Iloilo was able to take the early lead in Pool A with a 1-0 standing.
Maguliano and the rest of the United Royals will go up against Pasig on Monday at 2:30 PM.
