The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys officially joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) on Saturday, Feb. 1, increasing the number of competing teams for the league’s seventh season.
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes and Ilagan Isabela team owner Jose Avelino C. Diaz signed the franchise agreement in Parañaque City.
Present at the signing ceremony were Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III, Ilagan City Mayor Josemarie L. Diaz, Isabela Provincial Board Member Evyn Jay Diaz, Ilagan City Councilor Jayve Evson Diaz, Ilagan City General Services Head Ricky Laggui, and Ilagan City Councilors Antonio Montereal Jr., Rommel Ballesteros, and Ariel Tabangcura.
Also in attendance was newly appointed Cowboys head coach Louie Gonzalez. Representing the MPBL were Chief Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Legal Counsel Atty. Glenn Gacal.
“It all comes down to the community—the province of Isabela and the City of Ilagan. Kilala na kami na die-hard sa sports, so we saw this as an opportunity to help our homegrown talents, giving them both inspiration and a platform to grow. Siyempre, alam natin na pagdating sa basketball, very passionate lalo na sa city namin, and it’s high time for us to reclaim the moniker of being one of the sports tourism hubs in the North,” said Diaz.
“We also want to showcase our sports facility, particularly the Capital Arena, which can host around 10,000 people. This is an opportunity to promote both the city and the province.”
Diaz added that MPBL already has a strong fanbase in Ilagan, and with many players from Isabela participating in the league, the opportunity to establish a home team was something they had been eagerly anticipating.
“We have been dreaming of an opportunity like this. Kaya nung nag-open for expansion, we were very excited. Matutupad namin ang pangarap ng Isabela at ng aming lungsod,” Diaz said, revealing that they have been assembling a competitive squad with passionate and dedicated players.
Mayor Josemarie Diaz expressed his excitement over the team’s inclusion in the league, emphasizing how it would inspire local basketball enthusiasts, especially the youth, to develop their talents and aspire for greater opportunities.
The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys will compete in the North Division, where they will face powerhouse teams, including the reigning back-to-back champion Pampanga and former titleholders San Juan (2019) and Nueva Ecija (2022). Meanwhile, the South Division will feature last season’s runner-up, the Quezon Huskers, along with former champions Batangas City (2018), Davao Occidental (2021), and the returning Basilan Starhorse.
Duremdes noted that the final list of teams for the upcoming season would be confirmed after the deadline for submission of applications, which was set for midnight on Saturday.
“We’re delighted and excited. This expansion is a sign of the league’s growth. We thank the City of Ilagan, headed by Mayor Jay Diaz and Governor Albano, for putting up a team that we believe will be competitive under Coach Louie (Gonzalez),” Duremdes said.
Gonzalez, who was recently released by Jose Rizal University just a month ago, has since found a new role as the head coach of the Cowboys.
The concurrent president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines stated that they are currently finalizing the team’s roster in preparation for the Seventh Season, which will run through December.
