Still UNITED by ROYAL blood

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

It’s been four months since we last saw the Iloilo United Royals in action, running hard on the break, fighting through screens and working tirelessly on defense.

The Royals were a “Cinderella Team,” a rookie expansion squad that overachieved through the eliminations with an 18-12 record to enter the playoffs as the 6^th seed in the South Division of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

It was in the playoffs where their biggest asset, youth, caught up with them.

Entering the post season as one of the youngest teams, the Royals were able to put up a good fight but ultimately eliminated by the Basilan Steel in two games.

Game 1 was a blowout, the team’s inexperience and lack of firepower was immediately exposed and taken advantage of.

Game 2 would be a different story as the team fought with more vigor knowing that their backs were against the wall. The Royals kept it close until the final moments, only to be thwarted by the brilliance of Allyn Bulanadi. Not even a gutsy return from Al Francis Tamsi could save the Royals from elimination.

It’s been a wild ride cheering for the team. Ilonggos have long thirsted for a team worthy to banner the Ilonggo spirit and the Iloilo United Royals was the shot in the arm we needed.

With the MPBL’s cancellation of the 2020-2021 season, team owner JJ Javelosa expressed optimism about the future: “Iloilo United is here to stay when it’s all clear. We will come back stronger next season.”

As the best expansion team in the MPBL, homegrown Jay Javelosa said that it will be an exciting upcoming season for them.

“The team would have more chemistry since we would have a lot more time to prepare and bond. We will have more shooters as well,” Javelosa added.

During the Lakan season, the United Royals’ free-flowing offense courtesy of chief orchestrator Eric Gonzales was one of the most efficient in the league, averaging 15 assists per contest.

Homegrown Aaron Jeruta served as a key cog in Gonzales’ free-flowing offense, providing leadership as the starting point guard of the squad.

“Expect the United Royals to be ready. I’ve seen most of my teammates still do conditioning at home, I see the coaches attend to webinars and I know the management is always ready for the team. Expect the United Royals to be a better team when the season resumes,” said Jeruta.

Determined and laser-focused, the United Royals are eager to take their level of play to higher heights, with the ultimate goal of bringing Iloilo a championship.

The crisis might set us apart, but we will be forever UNITED by our ROYAL blood.