Pangasinan Heatwaves

Pangasinan Heatwaves Pangasinan Abono Reapers
2024 Pangasinan Heatwaves season
League	MPBL
Founded	February 7, 2024;10 months ago (February 7, 2024)
History	Pangasinan Heatwaves (2024–present) (MPBL) Pangasinan Abono Reapers (2024–present) (PSL)
Arena	Calasiao Sports Complex
Location	Calasiao, Pangasinan
Team colors
Main sponsor	Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao
Team manager	FJ Dylim
Head coach	Jerson Cabiltes

The Pangasinan Heatwaves ^[1] are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the province of Pangasinan. The team competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's North Division and play their home games at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Calasiao. ^{[2] [3]}

The team began play in the 2024 season as the first team to be based in the Ilocos Region. They joined the league alongside the Abra Weavers, the only other team based in Northern Luzon. They also compete in the Pilipinas Super League under the name Pangasinan Abono Reapers.

History

Background and founding

The province of Pangasinan has previously been involved in professional basketball in the country. For three seasons, the Pangasinan Presidents/Waves took part in the Metropolitan Basketball Association. The province also hosted the PBA All-Star Weekend in 2019, which was held at the Calasiao Sports Complex. ^[4]

The team was first announced on January 17, 2024, when Alaminos mayor Bryan Celeste posted a tryout for the Pangasinan-based team. ^[5] On February 7, 2024, the team formally signed as expansion team and was initially named the Pangasinan Heat. They are one of two expansion teams admitted for the MPBL's 2024 season, the other being the Abra Weavers. ^[2] Former Bayambang mayor Cezar Quiambao was named as team owner. ^[3] Jerson Cabiltes took on the role of head coach for their inaugural season coming off a two-year stint with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards franchise. Cabiltes' presence also brought in players from the Rice Vanguards, such as Hesed Gabo and Michael Mabulac to go alongside ex-PBA cagers Ed Daquioag and Dennice Villamor. ^[6]

First season

Their first game was played on April 6, 2024 as part of the season's opening gameday. In their inaugural game, the Heatwaves lost at home in an expansion battle against the Abra Weavers. ^{[7] [8]} Their first franchise win came on April 17 against the Bulacan Kuyas at Paco Arena while their first home win was achieved on April 27 against the Marikina Shoemasters.

Team identity

According to Quiambao, the name references the province's solar power supply and its aim to become the country's "Solar Capital". ^{[9] [3]}

Home venues

The only venue the Heatwaves have used thus far is the Calasiao Sports Complex, which also hosted the opening gameday in 2024.

Venue	Location	2024
Calasiao Sports Complex	Calasiao, Pangasinan	Y

Current roster

Pangasinan Heatwaves roster

• v
• t
• e

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From F 3 Taganas, Jay-R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 1987–09–01 San Beda G/F 5 Tolentino, Vince 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 1993–08–27 Ateneo G 6 Melencio, Ian 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 1989–05–11 AIMS G 10 Robin, Ralph 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Emilio Aguinaldo F 12 Juico, Michael 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 140 lb (64 kg) 1989–09–24 San Sebastian 13 Meneses, Mark  (HG) 16 Villanueva, Jerick  (HG) 17 Bautista, Jerald F 19 Cosejo, Nat 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Emilio Aguinaldo F 24 Lasco, Damian 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 25 Miranda, Ken Mark F/C 28 Mabulac, Michael 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1991–10–31 José Rizal G/F 29 Mina, Allen 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1996–09–22 Letran 44 Garcia, Jeric  (HG) F 45 Baracael, Mac 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1985–04–14 Far Eastern F/C 50 Maguliano, JP 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Emilio Aguinaldo G 54 Comia, Jefferson 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 55 Cassi, JR  (HG) 77 Tan, Jason 88 Calaguio, Kurt  (HG)

Head coach Jerson Cabiltes Team consultant Marlou Aquino Legend (HG) Homegrown (FF) Filipino-foreigner (SGL) Special Guest Licensee (RS) Reserve player Injured Roster – via Genius Sports Updated as of: June 26, 2024

Notable players

MPBL All-Star Day

All-Star selections Hesed Gabo – 2024 Michael Juico – 2024

PBA players

Ex-PBA players Mac Baracael Hesed Gabo Michael Juico Michael Mabulac Dennice Villamor

Season-by-season records

	League champions
	Division champions
	Qualified for playoffs
	Best regular season record

Season	Regular season							Playoffs
	Division	Finish	GP	W	L	PCT	GB	Stage	Results
Pangasinan Heatwaves
2024	North	11th	28	12	16	.429	14	Did not qualify
All-time regular season record			28	12	16	.429		0 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record			0	0	0	–		0 finals appearances
All-time overall record			28	12	16	.429		0 championships

References

1. "OFFICIAL FB PAGE OF MPBL PANGASINAN HEATWAVES". Pangasinan Heatwaves. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024– via Facebook.
2. "MPBL welcomes unlimited pros, expands with two new franchises". Tiebreaker Times. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
3. "Pangasinan eyes to bring the heat to MPBL". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
4. "North-South rivalry returns at the PBA All-Star game". PBA.ph. March 30, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
5. Celeste, Bryan (January 17, 2024). "Calling all aspiring basketball players for Team Pangasinan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2024?!" – via Facebook.
6. "MPBL: Pangasinan, Abra eye impact; Tarlac keeps buildup under wraps". Philstar.com. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
7. "MPBL Sixth Season unwraps Saturday". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
8. "Abra stuns Pangasinan, Zamboanga trips Valenzuela in MPBL inaugurals". Manila Bulletin. April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
9. Austria, Hilda (February 7, 2024). "Pangasinan to join Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's next season". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 7, 2024.