Tan, whose
passion for basketball was cultivated in childhood, believes he saw a
formidable ally in MPBL founder Sen. Manuel Pacquiao in providing opportunities
for local talents from the regions to advance their basketball dreams.
“When we formed
Tanduay Athletics, we had grassroots youth development as one of its major
thrusts. We believe we can give equal opportunities to aspiring basketball
talents from the cities and the regions through MPBL,” Tan said.
The MPBL
features teams that represent a province, city or municipality in a
home-and-away set up, where players get to play in front of hometown fans.
Each team is
required to have at least three players that are homegrown to the area they
represent.
Aside from
Batangas Tanduay Athletics, other teams playing for the MPBL include Bataan
Defenders, Bulacan Kuyas, Valenzuela Classic, Marikina Athletics, Caloocan
Supremos, Navotas Redcore and Muntinlupa.
“We put our
hope in the next generation to make better their lives and become useful to
society. To give meaning to words, we support avenues that will enable them
like the MPBL and Batangas is close to home. That makes this endeavor special
and worthwhile,” Tan further explained.
Tanduay
Distillers’ alcohol refinery Absolut Distillers Inc. has been operating for 26
years in Lian, Batangas. It is one of the country’s most advanced distilleries
that has received multiple local and international awards for operating on zero
waste and employing green practices.
“We have a very
encouraging start with the strong performance of the team. We hope to continue
the momentum. But in every league or sport we support, what’s important is how
we are making a difference in the lives of the athletes. How they develop as
individuals and how they will continue to inspire a nation as an athlete like
Manny Pacquiao is why we are here to support,” Tan concluded.
The
Batangas-Tanduay Athletics had an early win during a match with Valenzuela
Classic and Bataan Defenders as former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)
players Val Acuna and Lester Alvarez lead the way for the new team.
MPBL games air
every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m in ABSCBN Sports
and Action.
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