Aris Dionisio and Chris Bitoon were at the forefront of Manila-Frontrow’s rise in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Two years ago, during the Stars’ debut in the biggest regional league the country has ever seen, the two did not shy away from the spotlight. They wreaked havoc right away, leading Manila to the North Finals of the 2018-19 Datu Cup.
The team came up short, though, falling to erstwhile-champion San Juan-Go for Gold in the best-of-three series.
Entering the Lakan Season full of promise, all while carrying the pain of last season’s defeat, Dionisio and Bitoon vowed to come back stronger and lead Manila to the promised land.
However, that wasn’t the case. The stars failed to align once again for the PBA-bound duo.
The second-ranked Frontrow-backed squad suffered a heart-wrenching 75-78 defeat at the hands of Makati-Super Crunch in the 2019-20 Chooks-to-Go MPBL semifinals at the San Andres Complex last Friday, signaling the end of Dionisio and Bitoon’s time with Manila.
“Siguro talagang hindi para sa amin ‘yung game. Nakita naman na buong team nag-effort para manalo, binigay na namin lahat e,” said a disheartened Dionisio.
“Kinapos lang talaga kami, na-out hustle kami e. ‘Di namin nadala ‘yung home court advantage namin, so ‘yun ‘yung nangyari. Mas gusto nilang manalo, pero binigay naman namin ‘yung best namin,” Bitoon echoed.
With their MPBL stint prematurely over, the two expressed their utmost gratitude to the management of Manila, who pumped life into their respective basketball careers.
“Manila ‘yung tumulong sa akin para mas mag-mature pa sa basketball. Kung hindi dahil sa kanila, wala ako ngayon sa pwesto ko, at baka hindi ako nakarating sa PBA,” Dionisio shared.
“Sobrang laking tulong ng Manila sa akin. Dito nabuhay ‘yung career ko e, sa Manila. ‘Yung binigay nilang kumpiyansa sa akin, sobrang laki. Sana madala ko sa PBA at magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung basketball career ko,” said Bitoon.
Playing outside the bright lights of the UAAP and the NCAA, the two were basically unknowns in the Philippine basketball landscape.
Dionisio took a gamble on his career and forewent his final season with St. Clare, betting all his chips on Manila since he then believed that it would be his best chance to enter the pro ranks.
Meanwhile, Bitoon — a Manuel L. Quezon University standout — bounced around different leagues before finding his way in the same squad, equipped with the same belief.
Then just last December, the two finally reaped the fruits of their hard work. Dionisio was nabbed by Magnolia with the ninth pick in the 2019 PBA Draft; on the other hand, Bitoon came as the 26th overall pick of Blackwater.
As they bid farewell to the team that molded them into the players they are today, Dionisio and Bitoon only have one wish for their beloved Manila squad.
“Babawi na lang kami next season, ‘yung Manila… Going to PBA na ako e. Sayang nga dahil ‘di ko nadala ‘yung team sa championship. Kinapos talaga,” quipped Bitoon.
“Sobrang bait din kasi ng boss namin, inalagaan at tinulungan talaga nila kami. Sana makapag-champion sila next season, at hopefully magkasama-sama pa rin kami inside ‘man or outside the court,” Dionisio bared.
The two also hope that their feat can inspire the next batch of cagers looking to find their niche in the local scene.
“Thankful ako sa MPBL kasi natulungan nila ‘yung players na kagaya namin ni Aris na hindi nakapaglaro sa UAAP or NCAA,” said Bitoon.
Story by Jonash Dannug
Photos by Thel Suliva
