Racal Motors foregoes ABL for PCBL

After pulling out of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL), Racal Motors will be fielding two squads in the upcoming season of the Philippine Commercial Basketball League (PCBL).

Racal has earlier signified its intention to join the ABL, and was even included in all press releases by the regional league regarding the upcoming sixth season, but ultimately withdrew.

READ: Racal Motors joins ABL, brings Filipino teams to two

Coach Mike Buendia cited that issues with the management and unforeseen circumstances as reasons for backing out.

“May internal reasons and issues na inaayos pa yung owner kaya finorego muna yung pagsali ng ABL,” he said.

(There are internal reasons and issues that the owner is still fixing, which is why they decided to forego the team’s participation in the ABL.)

READ: Pacquiao could see action for Aguilas team in ABL

Buendia said that the management did not provide the specifics, but Racal Motors is not closing its door on joining the ABL in the future.

“Di pa naman totally tinatanggal yung possibility ng pagsali sa ABL in the future. Pag naayos nila yung issues, malay natin,” he said.

(We’re not totally discounting the possibility of joining the ABL in the future. Once they fix the issues, we’ll never know.)

Founding member

Racal Motors, meanwhile, will join teams Sta. Lucia, Euromed, and Jumbo Plastic as founders of the PCBL.

The company will be parading two squads in Caida Tiles and Kama Trucks for the league’s inaugural conference set to open in October.

Buendia will call the shots for Caida, while Kama will be under former Hi-Tech Bangkok City coach Jing Ruiz.

The Rain or Shine assistant also said that the two teams will serve as a pool for the Keramix squad,  which will be under the guidance of coach Caloy Garcia, in the 2016 season of the PBA D-League set on  January.

“Dun sa PCBL teams yung pagpipilian namin for the D-League. Yung matitira at overage na players, sila yung tutuloy sa second conference ng PCBL next year,” said Buendia.

(We’ll get our D-League players in the PCBL teams. Those who will be left and overaged will stay for the second conference of the PCBL next year.)

Gilas cadet Jiovani Jalalon played for the Keramix Mixers in the last PBA D-League conference.