Val City-Carga Backload Solutions will parade a bunch of new faces come the 2020-21 season of the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
The team tapped the services of Cebuano sniper Patrick Cabahug – who last played for his hometown Cebu in the Lakan Season – to pair with Val City lead gunner Paulo Hubalde.
“Kasi si Paolo [Hubalde] lang yung veteran na naiwan e, so matutulungan nila yung mga bata na pag dating sa experience nila sa basketball medyo malalim na rin silang dalawa ni Paulo,” said Val City team Manager Jhon Santos about the 36-year-old Cabahug, who played for Air21 in the PBA and the Kuala Lumpur Dragons and Hi-Tech Bangkok City in the ABL.
“Silang dalawa ni Paolo, yung experience nila talaga talagang malalim na. So malaking tulong si Patrick.”
Cabahug, a 6-foot-1 guard, averaged 9.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 18 games for the Casino Ethyl Alcohol-backed squad before leaving the team due to changes.
Looking to infuse young blood to the team, the management also went to Cebu to conduct tryouts which eventually led to the signing of 2019 CESAFI Mythical Team member Shane Menina and Tristan Albina, both of whom are with University of Cebu, along with another Cebu cager in Kevin Villafranca.
“Actually mataas e, yung expectations ko sa kanila kasi kapag tinignan natin yung mga kahit sa UAAP, NCAA galing yung talents nila dito sa Visayas e,” said Santos.
“Mga winner na rin ‘tong mga batang ‘to mga own rights nila so pakiramdam namin na bata sila pero experience wise medyo marami na ring pinagdaaanan. Kaya tingin namin malaki ang maitutulong nila sa team, kaunting adjustment lang siguro.”
Val City also locked up former Rizal-Xentro Mall guard Lord Casajeros — who posted 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists during the Lakan Season — together with Adamson product Egie Boy Mojica and St. Clare’s Rey De Mesa, to beef up the core made up of homegrown talents Jaymar Gimpayan, Jeric Diego, Marlon Kalaw, and Hubalde.
Val City finished with an 11-19 record in the MPBL’s North Division.
By Jonash Dannug
