Homegrown talents get the spotlight when the Zamboanga Valientes represent the country in the 2024 The Asian Tournament which kicks off on Friday, April 19, in Guangdong, China.

Valientes owner Junnie Navarro sees promise with his lineup which is composed mostly of Zamboangueños as they vie in the tournament that was formerly Asian Basketball League.

"Ang kaibahan ng team ngayon, karamihan ng mga maglalaro taga-Zamboanga. Andyan 'yong mga talent eh, gusto naming maipakita na ang mga taga-Zamboanga kayang makipagsabayan sa ibang bansa," Navarro said on Saturday, April 13.

"Last year was our first time to play in ABL, this time we decided to gather Zamboangueno stars, eh, kasi iba 'yong dala mo 'yong pride eh kapag you play for your city and country," he added.

Former FEU Tamaraws star Mike Tolomia and veteran Rudy Lingganay will lead the backcourt alongside NCAA Season 99 champion Peter Alfaro of the San Beda Red Lions, Jerome Ferrer, Joewish Gracia, Das Esa, and Job Alcantara.

UAAP Season 86 MVP Malick Diouf and former Rain or Shine import Nick Evans are manning the frontcourt for the Valientes. Also in the roster are CS's AJ Benson, Med Salim and former Meralco Bolts Franky Johnson under head coach Bobidick Delos Santos.

Zamboanga will face top clubs in Asia, including Ningbo Bulls, Hong Kong Jambo, Taiwan Mustangs, East Sea Pirates, Vantablack Dragons, Borneo Kings, and Macau Black Bears who recently signed Dwyane Wade’s son Zaire.

The Valientes will lock horns against compatriot Pola Pilipinas RPG where actor Gerald Anderson is the team captain.

Four countries are hosting the Asian tiff, with Zamboanga City hosting the grand finals.

Navarro, meanwhile, bared that they are in talks with former NBA star Dwight Howard to suit up in the Asian tourney.

According to Navarro, Howard’s possibility to play is high.

“Hopefully, matuloy ‘tong Dwight Howard. Pero naguusap parin kami ni Mario Chalmers, na kino-consider pa rin nya 'yong pagbalik sa Zamboanga and si Michael Beasley,” Navarro stressed.