Zamboanga Valientes to compete in Asian tilt

Homegrown talents will banner the Zamboanga Valientes when they compete in the 2024 The Asian Tournament (formerly Asian Basketball League) slated on Friday in Guangdong, China.

Team owner Junnie Navarro expressed his optimism with the current lineup as he hopes to showcase their homegrown talents in the international scene.

"Ang kaibahan ng team ngayon, karamihan ng mga maglalaro taga-zamboanga andyan 'yung mga talent eh, gusto naming maipakita na ang mga taga-zamboanga kayang makipagsabayan sa ibang bansa," Navarro said on Saturday, April 13 at the team's press conference in Parañaque City.

"Last year was our first time to play in ABL, this time we decided to gather Zamboangueno stars, eh, kasi iba 'yong dala mo 'yong pride eh kapag you play for your city and country," he added.

Former Far Eastern University Tamaraws star Mike Tolomia and veteran Rudy Lingganay will lead the roster alongside NCAA Season 99 champion Peter Alfaro of the San Beda Red Lions, Jerome Ferrer, Joewish Gracia, Das Esa, and Job Alcantara.

UAAP Season 86 MVP Malick Diouf and former Rain or Shine import Nick Evans are manning the frontcourt along with AJ Benson, Med Salim and former Meralco Bolts Franky Johnson.

Zamboanga is expected to face top clubs in Asia including the Ningbo Bulls, the Hong Kong Jambo, the Taiwan Mustangs, the East Sea Pirates, the Vantablack Dragons, the Borneo Kings, and the Macau Black Bears who recently signed Dwyane Wade’s son Zaire.

The Valientes will also lock horns with the Pola Pilipinas RPG where actor Gerald Anderson is the team captain.