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| JR Quinahan is moving to the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA—JR Quinahan has found a new home.
The former NLEX Road Warrior signed up with the Zamboanga Valientes for the Fiesta Pilar Philippines Championship, which begins on Friday night.
As revealed earlier Friday, Zamboanga listed the burly six-foot-six stretch center in its lineup for the four-team event that features two more teams from Mindanao and another that recently saw action in Malaysia.
NLEX waived the 39-year-old Quinahan after he was caught playing in a "ligang labas" event.
Joining the Valientes as well are former PBA player Reed Juntilla, MPBL veteran Rodel Vaygan, and former Gilas Pilipinas youth team member Rhayyan Amsali.
Interestingly enough, Asian Games silver medalist Eumir Marcial is included in the Valientes' lineup, and if he plays even for limited minutes against the Sibugay Knights at 9 p.m., the currently undefeated pro boxer, who returned to Olympic-style boxing for a shot at Paris Olympics gold, could become only the second pugilist to turn pro in basketball since Manny Pacquiao played three seasons for the Terrafirma franchise in the PBA from 2014-2017.
Sibugay is bringing in the best of its local talents in Zamboanga Sibugay like Jordan Lanzuga and Cleson Gocotano.
The first game in the doubleheader at 7:30 p.m. features McDavid ZamPen and AO Kings.
The AO Kings, meanwhile, are taking in the core of their team that played in the newly-founded Major Basketball League in Kuala Lumpur last August like Joshua Saret, Sandy Cenal, Marlon Monte, Raymond Matias, Andrian Celada, and Jonathan Ballon.
Anton Ong, who coached AO during the MBL event, will now be playing for the team in the tournament powered by the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup, and Dann Caneba is now taking over the head coaching chores.
McDavid ZamPen has yet to reveal its roster as of posting.
Another team, MisOr, is bringing in familiar names in the pro ranks like playing head coach JR Cawaling, playing assistant coach Leo Avenido, Teytey Teodoro, and Ed Doroteo.
All the games will be played at the Centrallis Sports and Events Center in Zamboanga City.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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