By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Ilonggo MC Abolucion has been appointed as the new head coach of the Iloilo United Royals, which is aiming to make a late playoff push in the 2023 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
The Iloilo City-native Abolucion will be replacing Manu Iñigo, who left the squad along with his assistant coaches to focus on the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs team in UAAP juniors basketball.
Abolucion, a former standout of Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix before being recruited to play for the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the NCAA, said he was thankful for the opportunity to handle his hometown team in the MPBL.
“I am beyond grateful, not everyone gets the chance to represent their hometown in this kind of stage,” Abolucion told Watchmen Daily Journal.
“I am confident that the team will be fueled by the love and support of our families, our fans and the Iloilo community,” he added.
Abolucion has a wealth of experience as he served as assistant coach for the Batang Gilas from 2015 to 2018 and with San Miguel Beer-Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League for three years.
He also became an assistant for UAAP teams De La Salle University Green Archers and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, including the school’s championship season last year.
In his first ever stint as head coach, Abolucion will have a tough task of resuscitating the dwindling campaign of the United Royals, which only managed to win six out of their 16 matches.
“This is a relatively young and talented team. While it is true that the standing right now may reflect otherwise, I think that the previous coaches did what they could,” Abolucion said.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The best way for us to move forward is to take it one game at a time, and we will put our 100 percent effort to win,” Abolucion, who said that he does not plan to tinker his roster, added.
The United Royals, which came from a 90-83 win over Bacolod City of Smiles over the weekend, will return to court with a new coaching staff against Negros Pau Muscovados on Friday night, June 30./ASC, WDJ