Manila Metrostars
Encyclopedia
The Manila Metrostars was a former professional basketball team in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association
from 1998-2001. The team was the 1999 MBA National Champions and holds the MBA record (and Philippine professional basketball record?) of winning 22 consecutive games during the said season. The team was merged with the Batangas Blades
in the 2001 season. In 1998, the Metrostars played home games at numerous venues such as the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
, the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym
and a host of others before playing permanently at the Mail and More Arena (now San Andres Gym).
straight out of the San Sebastian College - Recoletos
. The team also had Alex Compton
, an American citizen who was born in the Philippines. Others include ex-PBA veterans Peter Martin, Frechie Ang, Ruben Dela Rosa and former Far Eastern University
star Nestor Echano.
In their inaugural season, the Metrostars were coached by Ricky Dandan but lost to the eventual champion Pampanga Dragons in the Northern Conference Finals, 4-2. In 1999, Letran Knights
head coach Louie Alas
took over the reins as head coach while adding former PBL and Cebu native Gilbert Demape. The Metrostars had an early 4-2 record, but went on an incredible 22-game winning run before finishing the elimination phase with a 26-4 record. The Metrostars dethroned the Dragons in the Northern semis before beating the Pasig-Rizal Pirates in the Northern Conference finals. In the National Finals against the Cebu Gems, the Metrostars won their only MBA National title, 4-2. One of the memorable games during the series was a three-overtime shootout between Compton and Cebu's Dondon Hontiveros before Manila won the game on the road. Compton was named as the 1999 league MVP.
The Metrostars failed to defend their MBA crown in 2000 as they lost to the San Juan Knights
in the Northern Conference Finals. In 2001, the Metrostars and the Batangas Blades
agreed on a merger, retaining the Blades name. This eliminated the Manila Metrostars franchise as Adducul (the MVP of the 2000 season), Compton and a few holdovers from the squad joined the Blades.
Coaching Staff:
Metropolitan Basketball Association
The Metropolitan Basketball Association or Metroball was a professional basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998.The MBA overtook the Philippine Basketball Association's plans on regionalization when the league adopted a home-and-away format where teams, instead of representing...
from 1998-2001. The team was the 1999 MBA National Champions and holds the MBA record (and Philippine professional basketball record?) of winning 22 consecutive games during the said season. The team was merged with the Batangas Blades
Batangas Blades
The Batangas Blades is a former professional basketball team of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2002....
in the 2001 season. In 1998, the Metrostars played home games at numerous venues such as the Ninoy Aquino Stadium
Ninoy Aquino Stadium
The Ninoy Aquino Stadium is one of two indoor sporting arenas located in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines, the other being the Rizal Memorial Coliseum....
, the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym
Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym
The Blue Eagle Gym is a gymnasium located in the main campus of the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines. Unlike most gymnasiums, the basketball court is oriented perpendicular to the orientation of the building...
and a host of others before playing permanently at the Mail and More Arena (now San Andres Gym).
History
In 1998, the Metropolitan Basketball Association was formed as a regional-based professional league which also challenged the commercial Philippine Basketball Association. The team made the biggest steal of all when they acquired Rommel AdduculRommel Adducul
Romel Adducul is a professional basketball player from the Philippines who currently plays in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Powerade Tigers....
straight out of the San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Sebastian College – Recoletos de Manila or commonly known by their nickname Bastê, is a Catholic institution of higher learning in the Philippines...
. The team also had Alex Compton
Alex Compton
Alexander M. Compton is a retired Filipino born-American basketball player who had stints in noted Philippine basketball leagues either as player or assistant coach and is now the national tournament director of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center Developmental League, the grassroots...
, an American citizen who was born in the Philippines. Others include ex-PBA veterans Peter Martin, Frechie Ang, Ruben Dela Rosa and former Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...
star Nestor Echano.
In their inaugural season, the Metrostars were coached by Ricky Dandan but lost to the eventual champion Pampanga Dragons in the Northern Conference Finals, 4-2. In 1999, Letran Knights
Letran Knights
Letran Knights is the name of the varsity basketball team of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Letran College is a Roman Catholic institution and the oldest college in the Philippines....
head coach Louie Alas
Louie Alas
Francisco Luis "Louie" Alas is a multi-titled Filipino basketball head coach. He is currently the head coach of the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and will soon coach the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League...
took over the reins as head coach while adding former PBL and Cebu native Gilbert Demape. The Metrostars had an early 4-2 record, but went on an incredible 22-game winning run before finishing the elimination phase with a 26-4 record. The Metrostars dethroned the Dragons in the Northern semis before beating the Pasig-Rizal Pirates in the Northern Conference finals. In the National Finals against the Cebu Gems, the Metrostars won their only MBA National title, 4-2. One of the memorable games during the series was a three-overtime shootout between Compton and Cebu's Dondon Hontiveros before Manila won the game on the road. Compton was named as the 1999 league MVP.
The Metrostars failed to defend their MBA crown in 2000 as they lost to the San Juan Knights
San Juan Knights
The San Juan Knights was a professional basketball team in the Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1999 to 2001. The team enjoyed considerable success, winning the MBA National Championship in 2000. The team was owned by former San Juan mayor, and now Philippine Senator Jinggoy Estrada...
in the Northern Conference Finals. In 2001, the Metrostars and the Batangas Blades
Batangas Blades
The Batangas Blades is a former professional basketball team of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2002....
agreed on a merger, retaining the Blades name. This eliminated the Manila Metrostars franchise as Adducul (the MVP of the 2000 season), Compton and a few holdovers from the squad joined the Blades.
Notable players
- Rommel AdduculRommel AdduculRomel Adducul is a professional basketball player from the Philippines who currently plays in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Powerade Tigers....
- Alex ComptonAlex ComptonAlexander M. Compton is a retired Filipino born-American basketball player who had stints in noted Philippine basketball leagues either as player or assistant coach and is now the national tournament director of the Nokia National Basketball Training Center Developmental League, the grassroots...
- Gilbert Demape
- Ruben dela Rosa
- Peter Martin
- Jonathan "Chu Chu" Serrano
- Don CamasoDon CamasoCeledon Camaso better known as Don Camaso is a professional basketball player in the Asean Basketball League currently playing as an import for the Satria Muda BritAma. He previously played for numerous teams in the Philippine Basketball Association, the most recent being Red Bull Barako...
- June Longalong
- Frechie Ang
- Augustus Ceasar Brown
- Chito Victolero
- Dino Manuel
- Nestor Echano
- Nandy Garcia
- Jojo Brines
- Joel Co
- Cadel Mosqueda
Coaching Staff:
- Ricky Dandan
- Louie AlasLouie AlasFrancisco Luis "Louie" Alas is a multi-titled Filipino basketball head coach. He is currently the head coach of the Letran Knights in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and will soon coach the Philippine Patriots in the Asean Basketball League...
- Nonoy Chuatico
- Alan Altamirano
- Ariel Vanguardia
- Cesar Pohlen
- Boysie Zamar
- Aldrin Cruz
See also
- Metropolitan Basketball AssociationMetropolitan Basketball AssociationThe Metropolitan Basketball Association or Metroball was a professional basketball league in the Philippines founded in 1998.The MBA overtook the Philippine Basketball Association's plans on regionalization when the league adopted a home-and-away format where teams, instead of representing...
- Batangas BladesBatangas BladesThe Batangas Blades is a former professional basketball team of the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association from 1998-2002....