Meet the Bataan Risers' Mark Pangilinan

Mark Pangilinan: Basketball dreams can come true.

by rick olivares

Some dreams can be simple. Accidental even in the case of Bataan Risers’ cager Mark Pangilinan.

This lad from Caloocan had different visions of glory on the court. A volleyball court to be precise. The sport was something he played from his elementary days to college. Basketball was an afterthought. One he took up only after friends pushed him to play the game.

And when he took to the game, Mark fell in love with it instantly. He grew up idolizing Jojo Lastimosa and Vergel Meneses and of playing in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (his favorite team then were the Nueva Ecija Patriots).

He played for the Central Colleges of the Philippines from 2005-10 where his Bobcats always finished second in the finals of the Colleges and Universities Sports Association (CUSA).

“CCP is known for its top cheerleading team,” bared Pangilinan, “pero nung time namin, nakilala rin kami dahil sa basketball team na laging nasa finals.”

For the Bobcats, Pangilinan averaged 18 points per game and scored a career high 41 points one time.

Although his teams came up short, they were seeded into the Philippine Collegiate Champions League where they once booked a quarterfinals seat. And it was there in the PCCL that Pangilinan and his teammates were noticed and given a break.

Teammates Raymond Matias was taken by Big Chill while Jordan Rios (who also played for St. Clare in NAASCU) and Joseph Ubalde are now with the San Juan Knights. As for Pangilinan, he played abroad in Malaysia, China, and Singapore and here in the Philippines, NLEX.

Mark never got to play in the MBA as it eventually folded after a few years. But now with the Bataan Risers and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, it’s pretty good. For one, he is playing national and regional basketball. And second, he is playing for one of his idols… Lastimosa.

“Am so honored to be a part of the Bataan team,” declared Pangilinan. “Nung bata ko pa gusto maglaro ng regional basketball. Nung nawala yung MBA akala ko hindi na matutupad yun. Suwerte na binuo hetong MPBL at Bataan Risers. It is overwhelming to play for Bataan and its team.”

As for the head coach, Pangilinan says, “Masaya under coach Jolas. Marami akong natututunan. Konti lang sa Pilipinas ang nabibigyan ng chance maglaro para sa mga greatest players natin tapos nandito tayo sa Risers.”

Pangilinan, now 31 years of age, didn’t win in CUSA. However, he found success in other leagues and in the D-League with NLEX.

Now that the Risers’ lineup has been upgraded, Bataan sits atop the league at the moment with an 8-1 record and a chance to compete for a trophy. 

“Magiging masaya kung sakali mag-champion ang Bataan,” hoped Pangilinan. “Masarap yung feeling na mag-champion. Tapos regional pa. For sure magiging masaya yung buong Bataan at lahat ng mga supporters. At siyempre, ang team ko at ang management.”

Meet the Bataan Risers' homegrown Bataenos: Christian Capuli

Each team playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is required to sign up three (3) homegrown players. Now meet them.

Profile on the homegrown Bataan Risers: Christian Medina Capuli

Edad at taga saan ka sa Bataan

Christian: 25 years old ako at taga-Samal, Bataan!

Bakit basketbol ang nahiligan mo?

Christian: Marami ako natutunan sa sports. Hindi lang yung values ng teamwork at hardwork kasama na rin yun respeto sa mga nakakataas at yung mga pagkakataon na binibigay ng laro tulad ng education. Sa basketball lang ako sumaya kaya minahal ko talaga ung paglalaro. At idol ko si Ranidel De Ocampo. Ibang klase siya maglaro at magdala ng pagkatao niya.

Nag varsity ako simula high school hanggang college sa Bataan Peninsula State University noong 2010-2014.

Ano yung pakiramdam na kasama ka sa Bataan Risers?

Christian: Siyempre masarap sa felling na tinatawag kang, “MBPL player yan. Bataan Risers yan. Malakas yan. Kaya nakuha yan sa dami daming magagaling sa Bataan isa siya sa napiling ma-line up sa Bataan Risers.” May-pride ka dahil nakasama ka rito. Malaking karangalan.

Ano yung experience naglalaro ka para kay Jojo Lastimosa na tinuringan as one of the 40 Greatest PBA players?

Christian: Masaya ako na yung mga pangarap ko nung bata ako na makakalaro ko din sa professional na liga ay natupad. Tapos Jojo Lastimosa pa yung coach na tinitingala na isa sa best natin sa buong kapuluan… malaking bagay ito para sa akin.

So one-of-a-kind ba yung experience representing your hometown of Bataan?

Christian: Siyempre masarap sa pakiramdam. Dati lang nasanay lang ako ipaglaban yung barangay ko kung saan ako nakatira at yung college school kung saan ako nag aaral pero ngayon iba yung pinaglalaban ko at ng koponan namin… pinag lalaban namin ang buong Bataan.

At “Bataan” na nakalagay sa uniporme ko so masarap sa pakiramdam. At proud akong taga-Bataan ako at pinag lalaban ko ang sarili kong bayan. Lalo kang gaganahan maglaro dahil todo suporta ung mga taga-Bataan tuwing mag-game kami.

Sino yung pinakamakulit at masayang teammate sa Bataan Risers at bakit?

Christian: Ang pinakamakulit para sa akin siguro si Gio Espuelas kasi ano ano lumalabas sa bibig niya na salita at masayahin tao din siya.

May pagkakataon ang Bataan Risers na lumahok para sa kampeonato. Ang masasabi mo rito?

Christian: Championship ang sisimbulo ng tagumpay ng bawat Bataeño. Sa tagumpay man at kabiguan sama sama namin ipinaglalaban ang hangarin maangat ang husay at galing ng Bataeños.

Meet the Bataan Risers' homegrown Bataenos: Francis Ebidag

Each team playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League is required to sign up three (3) homegrown players. Now meet them.

Profile on the homegrown Bataan Risers: Francis Flores Ebidag

Taga saan ka sa Bataan

Francis: Taga-Dinalupihan, Bataan ako; hometown din ni Gary David!

Bakit basketbol ang nahiligan mo?

Francis: Basketball pinili ko kasi sobrang exciting at saka happy kapag may mga fans na nag che-cheer. Lalo kang gagaganahan. At saka malaking tulong to para sa family ko dahil meron kang pagkakataon magka-scholarship at malaking tipid yan sa tuition. At may chance ka magkaroon ng professional career.

Ako nga pala ay nag-college sa AMA Computer University sa Muñoz, Quezon City at nakapaglaro ako sa NAASCU noong 2008-2012.

Ano yung pakiramdam na kasama ka sa Bataan Risers?

Francis: Sobrang saya ko. Natupad yung big dream ko. Akala ko na hindi ko na matutupad yung pangarap ko. Masasabi ko lang sa mga players na katulad ko na nangangarap makapasok dito sa MPBL tiyaga lang at laging mag pray kay God para matupad nila yung pangarap nila. Magpasalamat lagi sa mga biyaya.

Ano yung experience naglalaro ka para kay Jojo Lastimosa na tinuringan as one of the 40 Greatest PBA players?

Francis: Sa totoo lang… nung una, may halong takot at saya kasi siympre Jojo Lastimosa yun. One of the best Filipino basketbol players ever. Ibang level yan. At saka happy ako dahil may matututunan na naman ako na bagong drills at plays. Kaya thank you sa Bataan Risers.

So one-of-a-kind ba yung experience representing your hometown of Bataan?

Francis: The best feeling! Siympre kasama ka sa Bataan Risers at proud ako ma-represent bayan ko. Ibang klase dahil nag-represent ka ng mga tao na kilala mo. Masaya! 

Sino yung pinakamakulit at masayang teammate sa Bataan Risers at bakit?

Francis: Halos lahat, eh. Haha Pero si Gio Espuelas, Jayjay Alejandro, at Gab Danganon. Masaya silang mga tao. Hindi ka ma-down.

May pagkakataon ang Bataan Risers na lumahok para sa kampeonato. Ang masasabi mo rito?

Francis: Championship? Ide-dedicate ko lahat ng gagawin ko sa Bataan. Salamat ng grabe sa supporta nila na. Kaya lahat gagawin namin para makuha yung championship!