Iloilo United Royals

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Iloilo United Royals
2024 Iloilo United Royals season
Iloilo United Royals logo
LeagueMPBL (2019-present)
Founded2019; 5 years ago (2019)
HistoryIloilo United Royals
2019–present
ArenaPassi City Arena
LocationPassi, Iloilo
Team colors     
Head coachMC Abolucion

The Iloilo United Royals are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the province of Iloilo.[1][2] The team currently competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's South Division. They are one of three teams based in the Western Visayas region and play their home games at Passi City Arena in Passi.

The team joined the league in the 2019–20 season.

History[edit]

JJ Javelosa, who would later own the team, and basketball coach Nash Racela conceived of an idea for an Iloilo team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) while playing golf. Racela brought in his co-coach Eric Gonzales to the nascent team. Javelosa, would have tapped his son Jay, who was then playing college basketball for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, while Racela would have recruited from his varsity FEU Tamaraws team. MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao approved of the plan, but was almost shelved when a sponsor backed out. The elder Javelosa eventually found new sponsors, and named the team the Iloilo United Royals.[3]

In the Royals' inaugural season, the team qualified to the playoffs in its debut season, finishing 18–12, claiming the sixth seed in the South. In the First Round, the team was eliminated by the Basilan Steel in the South Division First Round.[4][5]

In the 2021 MPBL Invitational, the team was drawn into Group A alongside the other Visayas teams – Bacolod and Negros – and finished second, placing them into the playoff tournament. The team would go on to lose to the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the Quarterfinals.[6][7] Iloilo then opted out of the 2022 MPBL season, with Javelosa stating that they took a leave of absence as they were uncertain that the MPBL will hold a tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.[8]

The Royals were announced to be one of the teams returning to the MPBL in time for the 2023 season.[9] Manu Inigo replaced Eric Gonzales as coach, with Cocolife as the principal sponsor.[8]

Team identity[edit]

The name is meant to represent the province of Iloilo, "United" represents unity among the Ilonggo people, while "Royals" references Iloilo City.

Current roster[edit]

Iloilo United Royals roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 1 Imperial, Shaquille 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Southwestern-U
G 3 Jeruta, Aaron (HG) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 1994–10–16 Centro Escolar
C 4 Berjay, RV 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Ateneo
G 5 Kapunan, JV (HG) 2 ft 2 in (0.66 m) 1990–07–23
F 7 Credo, Jason 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Ateneo
F 8 Javelosa, Michael Jay (HG) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Ateneo
F 9 Catapusan, CJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) UP
G 11 Dela Rosa, Ry Aijer (SGL) 5 ft 0 in (1.52 m) José Rizal
G 12 Capacio, Gwyne Matthew 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Ateneo
G 13 Gomez, Gab 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Ateneo
G 14 Doliguez, Clint 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1994–05–27 San Beda
F 21 Etrata, Prince 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
G 24 Nonoy, Mark (HG) 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) De La Salle
F 25 Madrigal, AJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) UP
F 26 Larupay, Omar (HG) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Lyceum
G 27 Cansino, CJ 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 1999-10-27 UP
C 29 Ongteco, Jeffrey Ryan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) St. Benilde
F 33 Diaz, Jed 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
F 44 Beltran, Allan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) UE
C 47 Rangel, Tzaddy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 1996–12–22 National-U
Head coach
  • MC Abolucion
Assistant coach(es)
  • Mac Cuan
  • Japs Cuan
  • Ethel Tajorda
  • Julius Sinon
Legend
  • (HG) Homegrown
  • (FF) Filipino-foreigner
  • (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
  • Injured Injured
Updated as of: April 9, 2024

Head coaches[edit]

Notable players[edit]

Iloilo United Royals notable players
Player Position Tenure Awards All-Star
Richard Escoto 2019–2020 — 1 (2020)
CJ Catapusan 2023–present — 1 (2023)
Josh Flores 2023 — 1 (2023)
Renzo Navarro 2023 — 1 (2023)

Season-by-season records[edit]

League champions
Division champions
Qualified for playoffs
Best regular season record
Season Regular season Playoffs
Division Finish W L PCT Stage Results
Iloilo United Royals
2019–20
Lakan Season		 South 6th 18 12 .600 First Round lost vs. Basilan, 0–2
Did not participate in 2022
2023 South 8th 12 16 .429 First Round lost vs. Bacoor City, 1–2
2024 To be determined
All-time regular season record 30 28 .517 2 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record 1 4 .200 0 Finals appearances
All-time overall record 31 32 .492 0 championships

References[edit]

  1. ^ Leobert Julian A. de la Peña (December 2, 2021). "Iloilo United Royals reveal roster for 2021 MPBL Invitational". Daily Guardian. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Rick Olivares (November 13, 2019). "Iloilo Royals look to continue win streak vs Pasig in MPBL". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  3. ^ Olivares, Rick (December 16, 2019). "A love for the game and the region | Rick Olivares". BusinessMirror. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  4. ^ "Allyn Bulanadi leads Basilan past Iloilo and into MPBL division semifinals". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  5. ^ Ivan Saldajeno (February 25, 2020). "Bulanadi takes over in clutch as Basilan clinches playoff series against Iloilo". dugout.ph. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Randolph B. Leongson (December 22, 2021). "Nueva Ecija overcomes Iloilo to reach MPBL Invitational semis". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  7. ^ Guardian, Daily (December 22, 2021). "Iloilo falls to Nueva Ecija in MPBL Invitational quarterfinals". Daily Guardian. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Iloilo United Royals set for 2023 MPBL return". www.panaynews.net. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  9. ^ Adrian Stewart Co (January 25, 2023). "Iloilo United Royals set for 2023 MPBL return". Panay News. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "Quezon Huskers temper expectations as new MPBL team". The Philippine Star. February 21, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Adrian Stewart Co (February 16, 2023). "Ilonggo Sumido banners United Royals in MPBL". Watchmen Daily Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Pressreader.com.
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