MUNTINLUPA coach Louie Gonzalez is opting to look at the big picture.
While the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational tournament kicking off tomorrow will size up the Cagers’ form, Gonzalez admitted his charges are setting their sights on the regular season next year.
“Halos bago din kasi lahat and we will use the invitational tournament to gauge kung nasaan na kami as a team,” Gonzalez told Malaya-Business Insight.
“Siyempre focus pa din kami sa bigger picture, iyong regular season,” he added.
The pro league, founded by Senator and presidential aspirant Manny Pacquiao, is set Dec. 11-23 with all games to be played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay under a stringent closed-circuit format.
Players and officials, all of whom must be fully vaccinated, will be restricted in movement from their homes to the venue, and vice versa.
Gonzalez, who also calls the shots for Jose Rizal University in the NCAA, is unfazed by the challenge of steering a team made up of former collegiate standouts and ex-pros.
“Different approach and treatment sa players pero same philosophy. Ako naman is laging gustong makatulong sa players and fellow coaches,” Gonzalez said.
“Thankful ako sa opportunity to lead and also sa opportunity to help.”
The likes of Jamil Ortuoste, JG Ylagan, Gwyne Capacio, and Jessie Saitanan are expected to carry the fight for the Cagers.
Aside from Muntinlupa, composing the stacked 22-team field are newcomer Negros Mascuvados, Datu Cup champion San Juan, Laguna, Caloocan, Sarangani, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Imus, Makati, General Santos, Bacolod, Marikina, Iloilo, Bacoor, Manila, Pasig, Valenzuela, Mindoro, Bulacan and Basilan.
