Millrats to Host 2008 Smart PBA Philippine Cup Champions
Published on September 10, 2008 under Premier Basketball League (PBL)
Saint John Riptide News Release
(Manchester, New Hampshire): The 2008 Smart PBA Philippine Cup Champions have made a trans-global trek to visit and train with the Manchester Millrats in New Hampshire. The Santa Lucia Realtors, a professional basketball club from the Philippines, will arrive in Manchester Thursday afternoon to beginning training with the Millrats.
"We are really excited and looking forward to training under the Millrats and their coaching staff," stated the Realtors Head Coach Boyet Fernandez.
The two professional basketball clubs made a connection last summer when the Realtors were in Boston for training, and participated in the Millrats inaugural tryout camp. Then earlier this year, Millrats owner Jason Briggs and General Manager Ian McCarthy flew then Millrats star guard, Anthony Anderson, to Manilla to tryout for several Philippine teams. During the trip Encarnado made sure they experienced true Filipino culture and cuisine.
"I have never seen shrimp and crabs so big before!" exclaimed McCarthy, "it was a wonderful experience to visit with Buddy and see Manilla firsthand."
The Realtors achieved what the Millrats fell short on last season: they won their league Championship. The Realtors credited some of their success to the international travel and training last summer, and they hope to repeat the process this year. The Millrats, in just their second season, will be seeking their first championship in a new league - the Premier Basketball League.
McCarthy and Briggs and Encarnado hope to have forged an alliance and a friendship that transcends borders, and is based on the love of the sport they have in common. The Realtors are also here looking for possible future American players that they could sign in the future.
The Millrats and the Realtors will be training at the Sportszone Athletic Facility in Derry, New Hampshire (www.nhsportszone.com) on Thursday afternoon, Friday morning, twice on Saturday, and will put on a scrimmage match on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm. The facility is open to the media and the public to come in an observe the proceedings.
Next Saturday September 20th and 21st, the Millrats are hosting the NH Exposure Combine Camp at the Sportszone that will also serve as their tryout camp. The best of the best from the camp will be combined with high level free agents and some returning Millrats for an October veteran's camp, and then the final Millrats roster will be signed before training camp.
Premier Basketball League Stories from September 10, 2008
- Millrats to Host 2008 Smart PBA Philippine Cup Champions - Saint John Riptide
- Battle Creek Knights Free Agent Camp This Saturday - Battle Creek Knights
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