Iloilo United Royals

The Iloilo United Royals are a Filipino professional basketball team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) based in Iloilo.[1][2] It is one of three active teams based in Visayas, all three are also based in the Western Visayas region.

Iloilo United Royals
LeagueMPBL
Founded2019 (2019)
HistoryIloilo United Royals (2019–present)
ArenaUniversity of San Agustin Gymnasium
Passi City Arena
LocationIloilo City, Iloilo
Passi, Iloilo
Team colors     
Main sponsorUnited Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corporation
Head coachManu Inigo

The team joined the league in the 2019–20 season. The name is meant to represent the province of Iloilo, "United" represents unity among the Ilonggo people, "Royals" references Iloilo City being the original "Queen City of the South".

History

JJ Javelosa, who would later own the team, and basketball coach Nash Racela conceived of an idea for an Iloilo team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) while playing golf. Racela brought in his co-coach Eric Gonzales to the nascent team. Javelosa, would have tapped his son Jay, who was then playing college basketball for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, while Racela would have recruited from his varsity FEU Tamaraws team. MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao approved of the plan, but was almost shelved when a sponsor backed out. The elder Javelosa eventually found new sponsors, and named the team the Iloilo United Royals.[3]

2019–20 season

The Royals qualified to the playoffs in its debut season, but was eliminated by the Basilan Steel in the South Division quarterfinals.[4][5]

2021 Invitational

The Royals again qualified to the playoffs in the 2021 MPBL Invitational, but were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards.[6][7]

2022 season

Iloilo skipped the 2022 MPBL season, with Javelosa stating that they took a leave of absence as they were uncertain that the MPBL will hold a tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.[8]

2023 season

The Royals were announced to be one of the teams returning to the MPBL in time for the 2023 season.[9] Manu Inigo replaced Eric Gonzales as coach, with Cocolife as the principal sponsor.[8]

Current roster
Iloilo United Royals roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#POBNameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY–MM–DD)From
G 1 Philippines Ynot, Tony (SGL) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) San Beda
2 Philippines Tolentino, Neil
5 Philippines Korovesi, Noah (FF) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Loyalist
7 Philippines Flores, Steven Carl
8 Philippines Javelosa, Michael Jay (HG) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
G 10 Philippines Bragais, Genmar 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 1993–11–10 San Sebastian
11 Philippines Sinco, Rhagnee (HG) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Far Eastern
12 Philippines Flores, Joshua
13 Philippines Sumido, JR (HG) UE
G 14 Philippines Pingoy, Jerie 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1994–12–19 Adamson
F 18 Philippines Olivares, Ralph 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 1989–10–21 UE
19 Philippines Guion II, Leo (HG) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) UE
F 20 Philippines Sanchez, Justine (SGL) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) San Beda
G 22 Philippines Arambulo, Ryan 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Cal State Fullerton
F 24 Philippines Gonzales, John Moises 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Far Eastern
25 Philippines Navarro, Lorenzo
26 Philippines Joven, Benson 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
27 Philippines Larupay, Omar (HG) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Lyceum
34 Philippines Estil, Sonny 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) St. Benilde
C 41 Philippines Basco, Marlon (EP) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 1978–06–10 UL
F 44 Philippines Flores, Cade (SGL) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Arellano
G 71 Philippines Lucero, Aldeo (SGL) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) UPHSD
G -- Philippines Anderson, Gerald 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 1989-03-07
F -- Philippines Madrigal, AJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) UP
F 9 Philippines Catapusan, CJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) UP
Head coach
  • Philippines Manu Inigo
Assistant coach(es)
  • Philippines Andy Mejos
  • Philippines Noli Mejos
Team manager
  • TBA
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (EP) Ex–Pro
  • (HG) Homegrown Player
  • (FF) Fil–Foreign Player
  • (SGL) Special Guest License
  • Injured Injured

Head coaches

Season-by-season records
Records from the 2022 MPBL season:
Season Conf.Team nameElimination roundPlayoffs
DivisionFinishWLPCTStageResults
2019–20Lakan CupIloilo United RoyalsSouthern6th/151812.600First Roundlost vs. Basilan, 0–2[5]
2022InvitationalGroup A2nd/641.800Quarterfinalslost vs. Nueva Ecija, 67–84[7]
Mumbaki CupDid not participate
2023—SouthernTBD/1500–To be determined
Total elimination round2213.6290 Division Finals appearances
Total playoffs03.0000 Finals appearances
Total franchise2216.5790 championships

References
  1. Leobert Julian A. de la Peña (December 2, 2021). "Iloilo United Royals reveal roster for 2021 MPBL Invitational". Daily Guardian. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  2. Rick Olivares (November 13, 2019). "Iloilo Royals look to continue win streak vs Pasig in MPBL". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  3. Olivares, Rick (December 16, 2019). "A love for the game and the region | Rick Olivares". BusinessMirror. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  4. "Allyn Bulanadi leads Basilan past Iloilo and into MPBL division semifinals". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  5. Ivan Saldajeno (February 25, 2020). "Bulanadi takes over in clutch as Basilan clinches playoff series against Iloilo". dugout.ph. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  6. Guardian, Daily (December 22, 2021). "Iloilo falls to Nueva Ecija in MPBL Invitational quarterfinals". Daily Guardian. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  7. Randolph B. Leongson (December 22, 2021). "Nueva Ecija overcomes Iloilo to reach MPBL Invitational semis". Spin.ph. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  8. "Iloilo United Royals set for 2023 MPBL return". www.panaynews.net. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  9. Adrian Stewart Co (January 25, 2023). "Iloilo United Royals set for 2023 MPBL return". Panay News. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  10. "Quezon Huskers temper expectations as new MPBL team". The Philippine Star. February 21, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  11. Adrian Stewart Co (February 16, 2023). "Ilonggo Sumido banners United Royals in MPBL". Watchmen Daily Journal. Retrieved March 16, 2023 – via Pressreader.com.
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