Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot guard Philip Manalang drained on the wee hours of Friday, December 23 what is now best remembered as the “2 million peso shot” which gave his club the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM title in dramatic fashion, as they defeated the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, 83-80 in overtime.
As Philip Manalang rifled in his now famous “2 million peso shot” — a buzzer-beating, championship-clinching trey last December 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot fans jubilantly roared, the confetti began to shower, and the entire scene erupted into chaos.
The Filipino basketball community know Jay-R Taganas as “Baby Shaq” (which eventually became just “Shaq”) since his San Beda Red Lions days in the 2000s for his burly appearance as the backup to two-time MVP Sam Ekwe.
With over three minutes left in the overtime of Basilan-Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot’s exhilarating championship match against the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, wing man Michael Juico fell onto the Mall of Asia Arena, grimacing in pain and clutching his legs.
Jumbo Plastic Medical Depot Basilan head coach Jerson Cabiltes, the architect of his team’s championship run in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM, became the first-ever winner of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Ato Badolato Coach of the Tournament plum.
Fran Yu is putting the Philippine basketball scene on notice. No less than Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors captain Jeric Teng praised the star for his reputable performance in the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM, which earned the Letran Knights guard an all-MPBL citation.
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards star Michael Mabulac was named the tournament Most Valuable Player of the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM.
As an added Christmas treat for basketball and Original Pinoy Music (OPM) fans alike, Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League will be reuniting one of the iconic bands the country has ever produced.
The return of the MPBL with the Chooks-to-Go Invitational powered by TM has definitely gave a platform for players to either continue their careers or boost their marketability for future tournaments.
During the 2019-2020 MPBL Lakan Season, the Imus Bandera flaunted a star-studded roster that featured the likes of Jayjay Helterbrand, Gerald Anderson, and a slew of tested veterans, only to disappoint with a lowly 6-24 record.
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