THE Quezon City Black Bulls aim for greatness in the upcoming eighth season of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at one game at a time starting April 10 after a promising campaign in the preseason.
Team owner John Christopher Tan thanked Quezon City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde for discovering the city’s homegrown top players, who just finished with a 4-4 win-loss slate in the preseason.
“So proud of all the players that played in the D1 League, and we are happy that we discovered them, and most of them have studied in the Gardner College. They showed to everyone that they are all worthy [of] playing in a high level competitive pro league,” Tan said.
“I think this is the right time to aim for greatness and prove [to] themselves they are ready for the MPBL.”
Asked what his expectations are from the team, Tan said: “I expect that they will give their 100 percent one game at a time, offensively and defensively, on both ends of the court. They will play all their hearts out here.”
He also praised the young lawmaker and actor for hosting a D1 League that helps the city’s grassroots level to develop efficient talents from Quezon City and Gardner College like Pat Buena, MJ Joson, Kenz Diokno, Joeben Loria, Ryan Arceo, Jake Agoncillo, Gab Salazar, Ryan Arceo, Nonon Lastra, among others.
QC will be coached by rising head coach Jayv Olea.
Aside from Buena, Joson, Diokno, Arceo, Agoncillo, Lastra, Salazar, the Black Bulls also have 6-foot-6 Jeff Morillo, Aldave Canoy, playmaker Ryan Costelo, Clark Derige, 6’5 Jay Gadon, Kobe Monje, Aeron Marvin Bagunu, Kai Espinosa, Joe Benzon Joven, Bryan Rosalin, Charles dela Cruz, Josh Roque, former Blackwater player Rey Publico and Ammar Cosari.
Meanwhile, QC Black Bulls team owner John Christopher Tan clarified that Atayde does not own the team’s franchise in the MPBL, but most players come from one of his own personal longtime sports programs — D1 Basketball League — since becoming a lawmaker in 2022.
“We would like to clarify that Cong. Atayde is not a franchise team owner, but most of the homegrown players of Quezon City came to his own sports grassroots' programs. I’m the team owner, and we are so happy that he gave his players the opportunity to play for our team,” Tan said.
Atayde is also holding other sports like volleyball and also gave support to the fencing team in the city.