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.”