ILIGAN City’s homegrown talents will be showcased by the Archangels in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup’s Mindanao Leg.
Twelve of the 13 players that will be fielded by the Archangels are natives of Iligan.
According to Iligan team manager Amador Baller, Mayor Celso Regencia made sure to have an all-homegrown squad so the province’s youth would be able to relate with the team.
“Iligan is very active in sports. It’s part of our campaigns here that will encourage the youth to get into sports and not into drugs,” said Baller, also the sports coordinator for the province.
“We also have programs for the grassroots. It’s the point of the mayor to help them not be involved in bad vices.”
Headlining the team is 6-foot-2 swingman Jericho Montecalvo, who 20 will be the youngest player in the competition.
In 2019, Montecalvo powered Southern Philippines College of Cagayan de Oro to the Sweet 16 of the Chooks-to-Go NBTC National Finals. He later transferred to University of the East where he had averages of 8.92 points, 5.77 rebounds, and 1.23 assists in juniors play.
Three guest players were tapped by the Archangels in University of Cebu’s Kyle Ordeniza, La Salle Academy’s Algeroh Benitez, and Pasig-Sta. Lucia’s Lester Tamayo.
Completing the squad, which has La Salle Iligan coach Dane Lariosa as chief tactician, are Edcor Marata, John Rabe, Roldan Piñas, Kenneth Ardiente, Dave Tagolimot, Philip Reyes, Harold Suarez, Magic Marata, and Johari Andor.
“We expect them to perform well in the coming tournament,” said Baller.
