Pangasinan Heatwaves
LeagueMPBL
Founded2024; 0 years ago (2024)
HistoryPangasinan Heatwaves
(2024–present)
ArenaCalasiao Sports Complex
LocationCalasiao, Pangasinan
Team colorsTo be announced
Head coachJun Marzan

The Pangasinan Heatwaves[1] are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the province of Pangasinan. They will begin competing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) starting in the 2024 season.[2] They are the lone team based in the Ilocos Region and will play their home games at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Calasiao.[3] The team is expected to be allocated to the North Division.

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 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend, which was held at the Calasiao Sports Complex.[4]

On January 17, 2024, Alaminos mayor Bryan Celeste announced on social media that Pangasinan would enter a team for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2024 season.[5] On February 7, 2024, the team's name was announced as the Pangasinan Heat (later changed to Pangasinan Heatwaves)[1] and formally signed as an expansion team. The Pangasinan-based team is one of three expansion teams admitted that season.[2] Former Bayambang mayor Cezar Quiambao was named as team owner with Jun Marzan as the team's first head coach.[3]

Team identity

According to Quiambao, the name references the province's solar power supply and its aim to become the country's "Solar Capital".[6][3]

References

  1. ^ a b "OFFICIAL FB PAGE OF MPBL PANGASINAN HEATWAVES". Pangasinan Heatwaves. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 24, 2024 – via Facebook.
  2. ^ a b "MPBL welcomes unlimited pros, expands with two new franchises". Tiebreaker Times. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "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. ^ Austria, Hilda (February 7, 2024). "Pangasinan to join Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's next season". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
Categories