MPBL: Rizal taps Eloy Poligrates after dismal finish

FILE – Rizal adds guard Eloy Poligrates. MPBL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Rizal-Xentro Mall is eyeing a brighter campaign in the 2019-20 Maharlika Basketball League Lakan Season.

The Golden Coolers finished with a miserable 7-22 record the past year but added firepower in the form of Cebuano hotshot Eloy Poligrates for the league’s fourth season.

“No one wants to end last on the rank of course, so after meeting with the owners, we all agreed that we have to build a more competitive squad,” said team manager Anj Anzores.

“So signing Eloy, is really a big step especially all teams are rebuilding. Getting him early is an advantage, at least we already secured a guy that we know will be of great help.”

Poligrates is a well-traveled player with his exploits making him an explosive scorer and a versatile defender. He put up 21 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.

Rizal also signed 2019 NAASCU Rookie of the Year Nikko Panganiban, who is also a lethal scorer and gutsy rebounder for Our Lady of Fatima University.

Panganiban averaged 18.1 points and 9.1 rebounds for OLFU.

Big man Mark Benitez, who averaged 12 points and 7.2 rebounds the past season, signed a two-year extension to stay with the Golden Coolers.