Eric Bangcoyan is supposed to suit up for the Caloocan Supremos basketball squad in the fourth season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) starting this June 2020. His debut, however, in the upstart league will need to wait a little longer as the MPBL announced the cancellation of its 2020-2021 season.
Although the cancellation of the entire season hurts since he has been diligently preparing and conditioning himself in preparation for the upcoming season, he understands the decision as it is for the safety of everyone. He just hopes and prays that everything will return to normal.
"Sobrang sakit kasi first time ko sanang maglaro ng MPBL kaso ganito ang nangyari. Pinaghahandaan ko pa naman ito. Araw-araw akong nagpapa-kondisyon para sa susunod na season na ito. Pero may plano yung nasa itaas para sa ating lahat. Ang magagawa natin ngayon, just pray na makabalik na sa normal ang lahat, said Eric Bangcoyan in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy."
As the season will not open until June 12, 2021, Eric Bangcoyan plans to return to his hometown in Pagadian City to be with his family and look for a new job that can support his living expenses. On the bright side, returning home will also allow him to continue his workout where his basketball journey began nine (9) years ago.
He is actually a late bloomer as he only learned to shoot hoops when he was already 17 years old. He became a varsity player in his fourth (4) year at Pagadian City National High School (PCNHS).
He would have wanted to try out with basketball programs of various universities and colleges in Metro Manila after graduating from High School but financial limitation constrained his basketball ambitions. He later chose to enroll with Saint Columban College (SCC) where he became part of three (3) Private Schools Athletic Association (PriSAA) basketball championship runs.
"Hindi ako nakapag tryout sa mga university sa [Metro] Manila kasi mahirap lang kami, walang pang support yung family ko kaya dito ako sa SCC sa Pagadian City nag college, explained Eric Bangcoyan."
Although his collegiate league is far from the prestige of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Eric Bangcoyan's playing years with the Saint Columban College Dream Hunters was nonetheless memorable. In total, he won three (3) championships but he had to endure first the pain of losing.
"Noong first year college ako, natalo kami ng Southern Mindanao College (SMC). Noong time na yun, umiyak ako tapos sinabi ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako gra-graduate kapag hindi ako makabawi sa kanila."
True enough, He made good on his promise. The following year, he and the SCC Dream Hunters exacted revenge as they secured the PriSAA championship trophy.
Their dominance didn't stop on that year. They repeated as champions on the succeeding season. And as if two championship was not enough, they bagged their third consecutive championship crown the year after.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Eric Bangcoyan and his team failed to four-peat in his fifth year at college after they succumbed to the Zamboanga Del Sur Maritime Institute of Technology (ZSMIT) last 2018.
After exhausting his collegiate playing years, Eric Bangcoyan showcased his skills on various ligang labas in his hometown. Little did he know that an opportunity to play organized basketball in Metro Manila knocked on his door.
His fellow Pagadian and friend Garexx Puerto who suited up for the Cebu Sharks invited him to try out with the Calococan Supremos. Eric Bangcoyan initially thought that they will join a recreational league but it turned out the scrimmage was for recruiting players for the Caloocan Supremos squad.
"Meron kasi akong kaibigan na galing sa University of Cebu na si Garexx Puerto. Kababayan ko rin siya na taga Pagadian City. Noong time na nag chat siya sa akin, nabigla ako kasi akala ko larong labas lang ang kanyang ibig sabihin pero hindi pala. Sabi niya sayang lang ang galing ko kung hanggang Mindanao lang ako, recalled Eric Bangcoyan. "
Without hesitation, Eric Bangcoyan took his chance. He followed his friend Garrex to Metro Manila to fulfill his dream of playing professional basketball. The two tried out for the Caloocan Supremos and they were both signed up.
"Sumama ako sa kanya [Garexx Puerto] dito sa Manila para tahakin ang larong MPBL. Nag tryout kami dito sa Caloocan Supremos at sa awa ng panginoon natanggap kami. Nagpapasalamat rin ako sa mga coaching staff ng Caloocan Supremos na kinuha nila kami para maging part ng team nila, added Eric Bangcoyan."
That was before the Covid-19 pandemic. While on quarantine, Eric Bangcoyan was looking forward to set foot in an MPBL court. He also understands that not everyone on the team will be given quality minutes so he vigorously worked out while on quarantine to be in top shape and be ready anytime. His goal is to show on live television that he can also compete against the top talents in the country.
"Gusto kong patunayan na hindi lang ako magaling sa larong labas. Kapag binigyan ako ng playing time, I will try my best para Makatulong ako sa team. Susundin ko yung mga payo ng mga coaching staff ko kasi dito sa Metro Manila more on system ang laro. I will rebound, defend, and hustle so that I can help the team win, added Eric Bangcoyan."
It's not a secret that the Zamboanga Peninsula is a hotbed of basketball in the South. It has produced notable basketball players some of which are still making waves in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) such as Marc Barroca, RR Garcia and Mike Tolomia. In the MPBL, Robin Rońo and Reed Juntilla are proudly representing Zamboanga City.
Eric Bangcoyan wants to be included on the list one day. Although that dream will have to wait for at least a year, he is not losing hope since he knows many support him in prayers. He wants to say thank you to some of them.
"Sa coach namin sa Saint Columban College, Orvelle O. saludsud, Coach Gandhi Singco, also Fr. Belstar O. Idiang , at sa mga boss ko diyan sa Pagadian City, Boss Rey Bolotaolo, Boss Carlo Guinea, and Boss Glen Cabilida , and also to my family, relatives thank you sa inyo."
God bless you Eric!
You might also want to read the following article:
-----------
Like our official Facebook Page MPBL RESULTS