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ILIGAN CITY TO SHOWCASE NATIVE TALENTS IN VISMIN SUPER CUP; JERICHO MONTECALVO LEADS ROSTER

Iligan City Archangels will be fielding homegrown players in the 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup's Mindanao Leg on May 30.

/ 17 May 2021

Among the 13 players, all but one are natives of Iligan City that will be displayed on their official roster. 

Iligan City Mayor Celso Regencia made sure that the team will be fielding an all-homegrown team, according to Iligan team manager Amador Baller, for them to allow the province’s youth to relate with the team.

“Iligan is very active in sports. It’s part of our campaigns that will encourage the youth to get into sports and not into drugs,” said Baller, who is also the sports coordinator for the province.

“We also have programs for the grassroots. It’s the point of Mayor to help them not be involved in bad vices,” he added.

Jericho Montecalvo, the youngest player in the competition, will be bannering the Archangels roster in the Mindanao leg.

The 6-foot-2 swingman played for Southern Philippines College of Cagayan de Oro during the Chooks-to-Go NBTC National Finals before transferring to the University of the East.

During the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Basketball tournament, Montecalvo chipped in 8.92 points, 5.77 rebounds, and 1.23 assists.

Edcor Marata, John Rabe, Roldan Piñas, Kenneth Ardiente, Dave Tagolimot, Philip Reyes, Harold Suarez, Magic Marata, and Johari Andor will be completing the squad alongside guest players University of Cebu’s Kyle Ordeniza, La Salle Academy’s Algeroh Benitez, and their import Pasig-Sta. Lucia’s Lester Tamayo.

Montecalvo and Tamayo have both applied for a special guest license (SGL) from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

Tamayo will be keeping his amateur status once he gets back Realtors for the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Mumbaki Cup, however, the same will not apply to Montecalvo as he will no longer be eligible to play in the UAAP.

“Some of our players played in the MPBL, while others are varsity players in known universities. Almost the entire team is from Iligan. We got them so that the kids will look up to them,” said Baller.

Iligan City Archangels have been training at St. Michael College under a full bubble setup.

GAB has given its green light for the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup to stage the Mindanao leg of its inaugural season later this month that will be participated by eight teams.