By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Iloilo United Royals have retained the services of Ilonggo MC Abolucion as head coach, and renewed the contract of veteran guard Shaquille Imperial for the 2024 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

The United Royals announced the return of Abolucion over the weekend, following his impressive handling of the team when he took over late in the 2023 MPBL season from Manu Inigo.

“We are happy with his performance last season. Kahit na late in the season na siya pumasok sa team, he was still able to steer Iloilo to the playoffs round,” United Royals chief executive officer JJ Javelosa said.

With Abolucion as head coach, the United Royals rose their way to the playoffs of the 2023 MPBL season before bowing to the Bacoor City Strikers in the Southern Division quarterfinals.

For his part, Imperial was also a late addition to the United Royals squad last season, as he was picked up to cover the departure of several players in the mid-season, including Justine Sanchez and Winston Ynot.

“Shaq also made his presence felt for the team, and was one of the keys kung kaya nakaabot ang Iloilo sa post-season, and nearly upset the Bacoor City [Strikers] in the first round of the Southern Division playoffs,” Javelosa said.

In 14 games played with the United Royals last season, Imperial averaged 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, two assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in nearly 18.8 minutes of playing time.

Last week, the United Royals announced the acquisition of Crispin John “CJ” Cansino after concluding his collegiate career with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Javelosa further said the United Royals are still in the process of recruiting players to make the team formidable for the upcoming MPBL season.

“Madami pa kaming ia-announce na acquisitions in the coming days. Definitely, we are building a team na magiging palaban in the upcoming MPBL season and a team that will represent the Ilonggos well,” Javelosa said./ASC, WDJ