By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Gerald Anderson will spearhead the powerhouse Boracay Islanders Team in the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) Pro Division Second Conference, which will open this Wednesday, November 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The actor-basketball cager was one of the 23 players in the Western Visayas-based squad, which will be handled by former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers mentor Jinno Manansala.
Anderson was not new to playing in commercial leagues as he suited up for Marikina Shoemasters, Imus Bandera and GenSan Warriors in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and recently played in the Chooks-To-Go 3×3 tournament.
Also in Boracay’s roster were former PBA players Anthony Helterbrand, Mark Cardona, Rommel Nino Canaleta, and Bryan Faundo, as well as former PBA 3×3 cagers Amiel Soberano, Martin Gozum and Jhon Rey Alabanza.
Completing the team were Joshua Fontanilla, Genmar Bragais, Jaymar Gimpayan, Migs Castellano, Jeymark Mallari, Damian Lasco, Rey De Mesa, Johnsherick Estrada, Joseph Peñaredondo, Jolo Sumagaysay, Ahron Estacio, RV Yanes, Aaron Decano, Megan Galang, and Bam Lopez.
Overall, there were 14 basketball teams who will battle for the PSL title in the second edition of the tournament after drawing just eight squads during their inaugural edition early this year.
Also competing are defending champion Davao Occidental, Bicol, Sta. Rosa and San Pedro in Laguna, Cagayan de Oro, Nueva Ecija, Quezon City, Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Muntinlupa, Caloocan, and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.
“We are delighted with his development. Nadagdagan ng nadagdagan ang teams na kasali,” PSL President Rocky Chan said.
“This early, we heard na four more teams are coming in next year,” he added.
League’s Operations chief and PBA legend Leo Isaac said that the second edition of the tournament is open to anyone who wants to participate, whether from college or former PBA players.
“This is an open tournament. Anybody can play. There’s no limit on the number of ex-pros. Even the team owner can play. Teams are allowed 25 players, but only 15 can play in a given game,” Isaac said./ASC, WDJ