Zamboanga MLV got a much-needed boost heading into the Kuala Lumpur circuit of the 2023 ASEAN Basketball League Invitationals, which takes place from February 3-8.
The Valientes signed two-time NBA champion guard Mario Chalmers to replace Will Deng.
“Siyempre sobrang excited kami na makasama ang isang NBA champion,” said Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro.
“Sobrang laki ang matutulong niya sa amin lalo na sa experience kasi na kasama din niya si Lebron (James). Maraming matututunan ang local players natin sa kanya.“
Chalmers, 36, was the 34th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
He played the first seven years of his career with Miami before having two stints with Memphis.
He also played for Virtus Bologna (Italy), AEK Athens and Aris Thessaloniki (Greece), and Indios De Mayaguez (Puerto Rico).
The 6-foot-2 guard made two attempts to return to the NBA a year ago, playing for Grand Rapids and Sioux Falls in the G League.
The Valientes went just 1-3 in the Batam circuit of the league.
Zamboanga defeated home team Bangkok, 118-73, to open the leg before bowing to NS Matrix (98-88), Macau (90-78), and Saigon (101-79).
They are currently 3-5 in the standings for sixth place.
