By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the most widely-renowned collegiate stars in Iloilo just had the biggest break of his basketball career after making it into the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Zaldy Patizar, a graduating student of the Western Institute of Technology (WIT) currently taking up Hotel Management, was just named to the pool of the returning Iloilo United Royals hoops squad competing in the Manny Pacquiao-owned league.
The development was confirmed by the Daily Guardian last February 15, 2023, after an exclusive interview with the United Royals’ owner Mr. JJ Javelosa.
Everything was then made official after Mr. Eugene Chua, one of the top executives of Iloilo-based sports organization Elite Lab, and WIT’s chief tactician coach John Guanco relayed the information to Daily Guardian.
The Ajuy, Iloilo native participated during the homegrown tryouts last February 7, 2023, held at the Iloilo Sports Complex covered gym and was one of the hand-picked players that will wear the United Royals jersey this upcoming first conference.
Patizar first introduced himself in Iloilo when he suited up for the Guanco-led St. Robert’s International School and helped them clinch one title in the high school rank and later on stuck with his mentor to win the 2019 PRISAA tertiary men’s basketball league when WIT outdueled the CPU Golden Lions.
Aside from his PRISAA achievements, the 23-year-old forward also won a total of three championships in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC).
The United Royals will be expecting 100 % heart and pure hustle from the hardworking Patizar who is highly regarded as one of the most efficient scrappers in Iloilo’s collegiate hoops.
The WIT veteran is also a member of Team Elite Lab and has proven himself that he belonged with the big boys after helping the team reach the semifinals of the 2022 Mayor Jerry P. Treñas New Normal Basketball tournament.
Iloilo is currently preparing for the first conference of the year and already named several stars in their lineup including former UAAP stalwart Jerie Pingoy and veteran Mon Mabayo.
Returning to the squad are Ilonggo star center Jay Javelosa and the two-way swingman Ryan Arambulo who were all part of the 2019 United Royals team.
