After their successful stint in the global 3X3 stage, the Zamboanga Valientes will be testing the Southeast Asian waters in 5-on-5 play when they compete in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) Invitational Tournament Series 2023 starting January 2.
Team owner Rolando "Junnie" Navarro confirmed the team’s participation over the weekend, saying that a team will be formed immediately to represent the Philippines in the ABL which will be returning after three years of hiatus.
“Zamboanga Valientes is now getting ready to play in the ABL and they will give their best to win the crown,” said Navarro, noting that they are still in the process of getting a head coach and completing their roster.
“We, the entire Filipino basketball fans, are excited to see our team play in the ABL," he added
According to Navarro, Zamboanga will be having five homegrown players and three imports to play for them. They are eyeing to sign up University of the Philippines 6-foot-7 Zav Lucero, former Barangay Ginebra Sol Mercado and one more competitive big man.
Now owned by the Navarro family matriarch Cory Navarro and Mike Venezuela of MLV Accounting, the Valientes will also have homegrown Rudy Lingganay, Jeff Bernardo and the 5-foot-5 Denver Cadiz.
Niño Reji Natividad will be the Basketball Operations head, Anton Altamirano and Joseph Romarate will serve as the team manager and executive director respectively while the coaching staff will be composed Bobedick Delos Santos and RJ Argamino.
“This team will offer more young undiscovered and exciting new players which will be an exciting and explosive team to watch,” said Navarro, whose Valientes have conquered Champions League Basketball 3X3 Australia I and second runner-up in Thailand 3x3 Super League.
Zamboanga Valientes have produced a lot of players from their hometown like Jonathan Parreno, Gino Jumaoas of University of the East and Arouf Julkipli of Adamson, PBA players like Mark Barroca, Mike Tolomia and RR Garcia.
They also made history in their hometown during the MAVS dayo serye which drew a capacity crowd of more than 15,000 spectators not to mention the thousands watching thru the Facebook livestream.
Founded by the late Lando Navarro in 2006, the Zamboanga Valientes also have sports programs to help their local athletes in such way like Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Olympics bronze boxing medalist Eumir Felix Marcial and former world title challenger Jonas Sultan.