By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Gerald Anderson is one of the eight new players for the revamped Iloilo United Royals-Cocolife squad in the ongoing 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season.
United Royals playing team manager Jay Javelosa confirmed the acquisition of the ABS-CBN actor as the squad aim to finally taste a victory after dropping their first four matches.
The 5-foot-11 Anderson is no stranger to MPBL action as he suited up for Marikina Shoemasters, Imus Bandera-Khaleb Shawarma and the Gensan Warriors-OKBET squad before.
The General Santos City-native Anderson has also played for a number of teams in Chooks to Go 3×3 Basketball. His last commercial basketball stint was with the Boracay Islanders in the Pilipinas Super League.
“Gerald Anderson is definitely a welcome addition to the team,” Javelosa told Watchmen Daily Journal.
“We saw here in his previous stints in the MPBL that he got the game and, one thing is for sure, he will definitely play in our home games in Iloilo City,” he added.
Also, new additions to the Iloilo squad were former NorthPort Batang Pier center Philip Paredes, former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ AJ Madrigal, Conrad Catapusan, JR Ongteco, and Lorenzo Navarro.
The United Royals also added to its homegrown players in Earl Murphy and Franz Diaz, who opted to turn professional as he was ineligible to play for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the UAAP.
“We, of course, wanted to give opportunities to Ilonggo players, so we are glad to have Earl and Franz,” Javelosa said.
“We were in talks with Franz even before the season started but it is timely that he is available now to join us,” he added.
Still with the Manu Inigo-mentored United Royals were homegrown players Javelosa, Leo Guion, Omar Larupay, Jhon Rey Sumido, Rhagnee Sinco, and Steven Flores, who is also a guest college player.
The rest of the Iloilo roster has Justine Sanchez, Tony Ynot, Cade Flores, Neil Tolentino, Joshua Flores, Ryan Arambulo, Noah Korovesi, Aldeo Lucero, Joe Benson Joven, and Marlon Basco./ASC, WDJ