Kamusta, MPBL?: Muntinlupa's long road to respect and redemption

Kamusta, MPBL?

A lot of people ask, what were the teams of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League were doing in these trying times of the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus? 

With that in mind, Pinoyliga goes beyond telling the stories of the San Juan Knights, as we go to the rest of the league on how they cope up with the crisis.

To begin our series, we open it with the Muntinlupa Cagers as we talked to team manager Kaizer Galvez on what the league pioneers have done so far.

A Hard Reset

From their bridesmaid finish in their debut Rajah Cup, Munti have gone a rough patch in the past two seasons as they were dragged into issues both on and off the court.

After falling to Zamboanga in the Datu Cup playoffs, the Cagers nosedived in the Lakan Season as multiple losing streaks, including  one that went eight straight, sent them at the bottom three of the Southern Division with a 7-23 record.

What was telling is that the suspicions of game-fixing were rife with them, and they have no other recourse but to clean house, making waves on hiring former La Salle mentor Louie Gonzales last March 10, a day before the Lakan Season's most recent playdate which was the respective game twos of the Division Finals.

The pandemic threw off of their original plans, but for Galvez, it game them added time to furnish and implement their new system.

"Our Coaches has already come up with a system that will maximize the strength and capabilities of the players we are eyeing at to complete our roster," Galvez said in an exclusive interview with Pinoyliga. "Putting up a competitive roster and integrating the system is not an overnight job it entails numerous hours days and months to make sure we will run like a well oiled machine."

However, the most important thing for the Cagers, is to instill the mindset of playing not just with intensity, but also with integrity, as the front office led by owner Atty. Jem Sy puts a heavy-handed approach to such undesirable acts such as game-fixing, which includes background checks to ensure it.

"We have a marching order to the Coaches and Players that the new manage will not tolerate nor succumb to players that we will be caught doing this illegal activities during the MPBL Season," he added, as it includes putting drastic measures to make sure that the team will be playing clean come the season.

"Ang Bagong Muntinlupa Cagers ay mag lalaro ng malinis at may puso pra sa mga Pamilyang Pilipino na tumatangkilik sa MPBL."

Being on Standby

As the Cagers were in the midst of the lockdown, the extra time it gave to them is a huge thing, especially with the fourth season being pushed back to next year in order to finish the Lakan Season.

For Galvez, it was a relief for them that given that Munti has literally cleared the house after the season, as it gave them and their coaching staff a clean slate to implement the new system that Gonzales and co. are formulating.

He said, "Given that the season has been pushed to a later date will definitely gives us more time to prepare as a team to learn the new system that our coaches will integrate and implement for the team this coming season."
In formulating the new guidelines, the coaches have already been in touch with each other, he added, as they are faithfully attending web seminars to update themselves with the trends that prevail in the sport.

With that, Galvez and the Munti front office have put a massive trust to Coach Louie and his crew, which had active consultant Glen Capacio and former MBA legend Eddie Laure backing him up on the bench.

However, the Cagers fanbase will have to wait a little longer for the new signings, as it will eliminate the so-called element of surprise as they have already have in their plans to unveil them before the lockdown came.

"Sigurado matutuwa sila sa bagong line up ng Muntinlupa Cagers."

In spite of the delay, Galvez added that their potential recruits are being told already to be sharp when the situation improves, which will enable them to resume physical practices.

With that, they hope that their image that had been dented from its last season will be restored if everyone in the team will be on sync.

"Rest assured that we will work hard to assemble the best group of players that will represent the proud city of Muntinlupa and make sure that the Muntinlupa Cagers will be back as one of the top teams in the MPBL."

Returning the favor to the City

However, the quarantine have made them realize that as a sports organization, the Cagers had a responsibility not just to themselves, but also to the community.

Which is why the MPBL is so special, because the teams had a duty to proudly represent their respective hometowns whenever they play. 

As such, they have returned the favor to the City of Muntinlupa by launching the Cagers Cares drive, in which they have provided relief not just for the residents, but also to the frontliners who are deployed in aiming to flatten the curve.

"Our players, coaches and Management Group have contributed to make sure we can help our beloved Muntinlupa Residents," Galvez said.

With that, we hope for everyone's health and safety in these trying times as we miss basketball so much.

Photos: MPBL, Muntinlupa Cagers (file)