Zamboanga Master Sardines

Professional basketball team in Zamboanga Peninsula in the Philippines

Not to be confused with Bacolod Master Sardines, now known as Bacolod City of Smiles.

Zamboanga Master Sardines

League| MPBL
Filbasket (formerly)
Founded| 2019; 5 years ago (2019)
History| Zamboanga Valientes
(2018)
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
(2019–2023)
Zamboanga Master Sardines
(2024–present)
Arena| Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum
Location| Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
Team colors|
Head coach| Louie Alas
Conference titles| MPBL: 1 (2022)

The Zamboanga Master Sardines, officially known as Master Sardines Zamboanga,[1] are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The team currently competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's South Division. They are the lone team based in the Zamboanga Peninsula region and play their home games at the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.

The team's establishment is unique from other MPBL teams, in that it was formed via a split from the Zamboanga Valientes. Due to undisclosed management issues, the split took into effect as the year 2019 began, forming the current Zamboanga franchise.[2] They have also played in Filbasket and in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3.

Initially named the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines, the team is sponsored by Universal Canning Inc. which owns both the Family's Brand Sardines and Master Sardines brands.[3]

## History[edit]

### Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League[edit]

Former logo of the Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines.

After its participation in the 2019–20 season, Zamboanga initially announced that it would not participate in the succeeding season and would decide on their status in the MPBL by 2022.[4] The team opted out of the 2021 Invitational, but did eventually compete in the 2022 season, changing the team's prior decision. Led by season MVP Jaycee Marcelino,[5] Zamboanga clinched the top seed of the league's South Division, and booked its first MPBL Finals appearance after beating the Batangas City Embassy Chill in the South Division Finals.[6] In the 2022 MPBL Finals, Zamboanga lost to the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in four games.[7]

### Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3[edit]

Family's Brand Sardines joined the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3, debuting in the 2020-21 season. For the President's Cup, they fielded a roster filled with national 3x3 players; Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, Santi Santillan. The decision was made as part of the preparation of the Philippine national team for their participation in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[8] The team won the President's Cup title, winning four of five legs including the Grand Final, which granted the team of a spot at the Doha mAsters of the 2020 FIBA 3x3 World Tour.[9][10][11]

## Current roster[edit]

Zamboanga Master Sardines roster

* v
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* e

Players | Coaches
| Pos. | No. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB | From

|
|
|
|
|
|

F | 0 | Lacastesantos, Jomari |  |  |  | Lyceum
C | 1 | Labing-isa, Cedric | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)  |  |  | National-U
G | 3 | Ignacio, Choi | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  |  |  | National-U
G | 8 | Tabi, Cyrus |  |  |  | RTU
F | 9 | Maiquez, Dexter | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 220 lb (100 kg)  | 1991–06–09  | San Sebastian
G | 11 | Marcelino, Jaycee | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)  |  | 1995–10–19  | Lyceum
F | 16 | Santos, Adrian | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  | 1992–04–18  | UE
G | 17 | Bautista, Jerald | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)  | 185 lb (84 kg)  | 1987–10–29  | STI
G | 19 | Marcelino, Jayvee | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)  |  |  | Lyceum
| 21 | Caballero, Keanu Abraham |  |  |  | Centro Escolar
| 23 | Celestino, Rayzon |  |  |  |
G | 24 | Lasco, Damian | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)  |  |  |
C | 30 | Sabellina, Maclean | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  | 190 lb (86 kg)  | 1989–02–15  | STI
F | 33 | Tansingco, Ralph | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  |  | Lyceum
C | 47 | Gabayni, Joseph | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  |  | 1994–09–28  | Lyceum
F | 91 | Dumapig, Cris | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  |  |  | Southwestern-U
| 99 | Mahari, John |  |  |  |
F | –  | Apolonio, Jayson | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)  |  |  | DMMMSU
F | –  | Jaime, Chito | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)  | 200 lb (91 kg)  | 1983–10–21  | AMA
C | –  | Omega, Mark (SGL)  | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  |  |  | UPHSD
| –  | Solis, Jayboy | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)  |  |  | Olivarez
| –  | Strait, Jason |  |  |  |
G | –  | Subido, Renzo | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)  | 135 lb (61 kg)  | 1996–02–17  | UST
G | –  | Terso, Joseph | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)  | 162 lb (73 kg)  | 1990–05–18  | National-U

Head coach

* Louie Alas

Assistant coach(es)

* Hubert delos Santos

* * *

Legend

* (HG) Homegrown
* (FF) Filipino-foreigner
* (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
*   *   *   *   * Injured

* * *

* Roster – via Genius Sports

Updated as of: February 27, 2024

### Head coaches[edit]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (January 2024)

|

Zamboanga Master Sardines head coaches  2018–present

#  | Name  | Start  | End  | Regular Season  | Playoffs  | Best Finish  | Achievements
GC | W | L | Win% | GC | W | L | Win%
1  | Ednie Morones | 2018 | 2019 | 15  | 4  | 11  | .267  | 0  | 0  | 0  | –  |  |
2  | Raymund Valenzona | 2019 | 2020 | 16  | 11  | 5  | .688  | 6  | 3  | 3  | .500  | Division Semifinals  | 6th/13
3  | Bai Cristobal | 2020 | 2020 | 14  | 10  | 4  | .714  | 0  | 0  | 0  | –  |  |
4  | Britt Reroma | 2020 | 2021 | 10  | 5  | 5  | .500  | 5  | 2  | 3  | .400  | Division Semifinals  | 5th/15
5  | Vic Ycasiano | 2022 | 2023 | 21  | 18  | 3  | .857  | 8  | 6  | 2  | .750  | Division Champions  | 1st/11

### Notable players[edit]

Zamboanga Master Sardines notable players

Player  | Position  | Tenure  | Awards  | All-Star
Reed Juntilla |  | 2018–2020 | — | 1 (2019)
Harold Arboleda |  | 2018–2020 | 1x All-MPBL Second Team (2019) | —
Alvin Pasaol |  | 2019–2020 | — | 1 (2020)
Jaycee Marcelino |  | 2022–present | 1x Most Valuable Player (2022)
2x All-MPBL First Team (2022, 2023) | 2 (2022, 2023)
Joseph Gabayni |  | 2023–present | — | 1 (2023)

## Season-by-season records[edit]

| League champions

|

| Division champions
| Qualified for playoffs
| Best regular season record

### Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League[edit]

Season  | Regular season  | Playoffs

|
|

Division  | Finish  | GP  | W  | L  | PCT  | GB  | Stage  | Results
Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines
2018-19
Datu Cup | South | 6th | 25 | 12 | 13 | .480 | 8 | First Round
Division Semifinals | won vs. Muntinlupa, 2–1
lost vs. Batangas City, 1–2
2019–20
Lakan Season | South | 5th | 30 | 18 | 12 | .600 | 8 | First Round
Division Semifinals | won vs. Batangas City, 2–1
lost vs. Davao Occidental, 0–2
2022 | South | 1st | 21 | 18 | 3 | .857 | — | First Round
Division Semifinals
Division Finals
National Finals | won vs. Muntinlupa, 2–0
won vs. Bacolod, 2–1
won vs. Batangas City, 2–1
lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 1–3
2023 | South | 4th | 28 | 20 | 8 | .714 | 3 | First Round
Division Semifinals | won vs. Quezon, 2–1
lost vs. Bacoor City, 0–2
Zamboanga Master Sardines
All-time regular season record | 104 | 68 | 36 | .654 |  | 4 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record | 28 | 14 | 14 | .500 | 1 Finals appearance
All-time overall record | 132 | 82 | 50 | .621 | 0 championships

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Eyes here mga ka-MASTER!". Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines. February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024 - via Facebook.
2. ^ Go, R.G. Antonet (December 29, 2018). "'Valientes' to be re-launched as Zambo Family's Brand Sardines". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
3. ^ Times, Tiebreaker (April 22, 2020). "Zamboanga-Family's Brand Sardines gives back to MPBL day-to-day staff". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
4. ^ Li, Matthew (March 19, 2021). "Zamboanga-FBS to skip next MPBL season". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
5. ^ "MPBL crowns Jaycee Marcelino MVP". Tiebreaker Times. December 9, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
6. ^ "Zamboanga snatches MPBL South division title". Rappler. November 27, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
7. ^ "Nueva Ecija finishes off Zamboanga in Game 4 to lift MPBL trophy". Spin.ph. December 12, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
8. ^ "PH men's 3x3 team backed". Manila Standard. October 22, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
9. ^ "3X3: Zamboanga City takes Chooks-to-Go 3×3 crown". ABS-CBN News. October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
10. ^ "Zamboanga boys hoist 3x3 hoops crown". BusinessMirror. October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
11. ^ Leongson, Randolph (November 2, 2020). "Munzon, Pasaol and Co. take on world's best 3x3 teams in Doha Masters". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved November 3, 2020.

* v
* t
* e

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

2024 MPBL season

* Founder: Manny Pacquiao
* COO: Zaldy Realubit
* Commissioner: Kenneth Duremdes

North Division|

Bataan Risers
Bulacan Kuyas
Caloocan Batang Kankaloo
Makati OKBet Kings
Manila Stars
Marikina Shoemasters
Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards
Pampanga Giant Lanterns
Parañaque Patriots
Pasay Voyagers
Pasig City MCW Sports
Quezon City Toda Aksyon
Rizal Golden Coolers
San Juan Knights
Valenzuela Classic

South Division|

Bacolod City of Smiles
Bacoor City Strikers
Batangas City Embassy Chill
Bicolandia Oragons
Iloilo United Royals
Imus SV Squad
Laguna Krah Asia
Mindoro Disiplinados
Muntinlupa Cagers
Negros Muscovados
Quezon Huskers
Sarangani Marlins
South Cotabato Warriors
Zamboanga Master Sardines

Future teams|

Abra Weavers (2024)
Pangasinan Heatwaves (2024)

Former teams|

Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines (2018–2020)
Mandaluyong El Tigre (2018–2019)
Basilan Steel (2018–2020)
Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol (2018–2020)
Davao Occidental Tigers (2018–2020)

History|

* Timeline
* Seasons
* Champions
* Records
* All-time standings

Others|

* Awards
* Finals MVP
* MVP
* DPOY
* Arenas

* Category

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pos.]: Position
*[No.]: Number
*[DOB]: Date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD)
*[GC]: Games coached
*[W]: Wins
*[L]: Losses
*[Win%]: Winning percentage