Wikipedia - Iloilo United Royals
The Iloilo United Royals are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the province of Iloilo. The team currently competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's South Division. They are one of three teams based in the Western Visayas region and play their home games at Passi City Arena in Passi.
The team joined the league in the 2019–20 season.
History
JJ Javelosa, who would later own the team, and basketball coach Nash Racela conceived of an idea for an Iloilo team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) while playing golf. Racela brought in his co-coach Eric Gonzales to the nascent team. Javelosa, would have tapped his son Jay, who was then playing college basketball for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, while Racela would have recruited from his varsity FEU Tamaraws team. MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao approved of the plan, but was almost shelved when a sponsor backed out. The elder Javelosa eventually found new sponsors, and named the team the Iloilo United Royals.
In the Royals' inaugural season, the team qualified to the playoffs in its debut season, finishing 18–12, claiming the sixth seed in the South. In the First Round, the team was eliminated by the Basilan Steel in the South Division First Round.
In the 2021 MPBL Invitational, the team was drawn into Group A alongside the other Visayas teams – Bacolod and Negros – and finished second, placing them into the playoff tournament. The team would go on to lose to the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the Quarterfinals. Iloilo then opted out of the 2022 MPBL season, with Javelosa stating that they took a leave of absence as they were uncertain that the MPBL will hold a tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
The Royals were announced to be one of the teams returning to the MPBL in time for the 2023 season. Manu Inigo replaced Eric Gonzales as coach, with Cocolife as the principal sponsor.
Gli Iloilo United Royals sono stati fondati nel 1993 come squadra di pallacanestro amatoriale. Nel 2000, la squadra è stata ammessa alla PBA come team di espansione. Nella loro prima stagione, i Royals hanno raggiunto i playoff, ma sono stati eliminati al primo turno. Nel 2001, i Royals hanno migliorato il loro record e hanno raggiunto le semifinali, dove sono stati sconfitti dai San Miguel Beermen. Nella stagione 2002, i Royals hanno nuovamente raggiunto le semifinali, ma sono stati sconfitti dai Talk 'N Text Phone Pals.
Dopo la stagione 2002, i Royals hanno lasciato la PBA per motivi finanziari. La squadra è tornata nella PBA nella stagione 2014-15. Nella loro prima stagione dopo il ritorno, i Royals hanno raggiunto i playoff, ma sono stati eliminati al primo turno.
Gli Iloilo United Royals sono una delle squadre più popolari della PBA. La squadra ha una forte base di fan a Iloilo City e nella regione di Visayas occidentali. I Royals sono noti per il loro stile di gioco veloce e atletico.
Alcuni dei giocatori più famosi che hanno giocato per gli Iloilo United Royals includono:
* Willie Miller
* Eric Menk
* Noy Castillo
* Johnny Abarrientos
* Mark Caguioa