MJAS Zenith Talisay adds 3 new players

THE MJAS Zenith Talisay Aquastars has bolstered its roster for the first professional basketball league in the south, the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, with three new additions headed by Cebuano guard Dave Moralde.

Moralde, who traces his roots to Tominjao, Daanbantayan where his father hails from, previously played for San Beda and then, the University of the Philippines. He also played for Muntinlupa in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Also joining the team is former pro guard Lester Alvarez, who starred at Adamson University before he was selected 15th overall in the 2012 PBA Draft by Barako Bull. He last played in the PBA in 2015, when he suited up for the Star Hotshots. He last played for the Bulacan Kuyas in the MPBL.

Another former pro player joining the squad is Jan Jamon. A 6-foot-3 forward, Jamon played in the PBA for the Columbian Dyip from 2017 to 2019.

Michael Aldover, Puma Philippines’ senior manager for sales and marketing operations, said the team is slowly shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with.

“It’s a well-balanced team, balanced in terms of positions. And even experience, some mix of rookies and veterans like Paolo (Hubalde), (Patrick) Cabahug and (Val) Acuna. There’s a good mix,” said Aldover during the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association online Forum on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

The MJAS Zenith Talisay City Aquastars is composed of the core of the Valenzuela City Classic squad that competes in the MPBL.

But with the league of Sen. Manny Pacquiao still trying to finish its stalled Lakan Cup, the team’s management led by team manager Jhon Santos deemed it best to compete in the VisMin Cup to help the players, whose livelihoods have been severely hampered by the Covid-19 health crisis.

The Aquastars are set to arrive in Cebu on March 15 and begin their training camp in preparation for the April 9 tip-off of the league in Alcantara.