Among the teams in The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), Makati is one of the most aptly named group. Their hopes are up and their aspirations are as high as the skyscrapers in Makati city, the financial center of the Philippines. They are eager to give the fans an exciting game and their main goal is to win the championship.
The roster is composed of new and pro basketball players. Their advantage is their vitality and quickness which naturally springs from their youth. The team has prepared for their first game by conditioning for a total of about six weeks, according to Villanueva, the team’s coach.
Among the players to watch out for are Rudy Lingganay, Philip Paniamogan, James Mangahas, Mark Isip, Roy Cayanan,Carlo Loren, Carlos Morales and Max Samonte.
The launching of the team was held last Friday, June 15 in Dasmarinas Village Pavilion, Makati City. Paolo Orbeta and Paolo Pineda are the team owners while Martine Arenas is the team manager. The Makati Skyscrapers will be mentored by JRU Heavy Bombers assistant Pocholo Villanueva.
Paolo Orbeta, one of the team owners, can be recalled as a former player of La Salle-College of Saint Benilde a decade ago. Orbeta used to manage a team which goes by the name “Ohana” which has won multiple commercial league championships for the past 10 years.
