Philippine Mavericks
SportTeam tennis
Founded2014 (2014)
Folded2016
LeagueInternational Premier Tennis League
Team historyUnnamed Bangkok-based franchise
2014
Manila Mavericks
2014–2015
Philippine Mavericks
2015–2016
Based inPasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
ArenaMall of Asia Arena
ColorsRoyal Azure, Vivid Golden Yellow, Strong Red      
OwnerHans T. Sy
Jean Henri D. Lhuillier
Kevin Belmonte
Haresh Hiranand
Bala Swaminathan
Head coachMark Philippoussis
BroadcastersSports5
Websitewww.manilamavericks.net

The Philippine Mavericks, initially known as the Manila Mavericks, were a tennis team based in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines that competed in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL). It is one of four charter franchises participating in the IPTL's inaugural 2014 season. It last competed in the 2015 season of the IPTL.

History

Foundation

On 21 January 2014, IPTL announced that one of the charter franchises for the league's inaugural 2014 season would be based in Bangkok.[1][2]

Inaugural draft

The Bangkok franchise (as the Mavericks were still known at the time) participated in the IPTL inaugural draft on 2 March 2014, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Players selected by Bangkok were[3]

Player IPTL Category
Men
United Kingdom Andy Murray Icon players
France Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Category A
Spain Carlos Moyá Past champions
Canada Daniel Nestor Doubles players
Women
Belarus Victoria Azarenka Icon players
Belgium Kirsten Flipkens Category D

Move to Manila

On 10 May 2014, before the founder and owner of the franchise had been revealed to the public, IPTL announced that the Bangkok franchise would be moved to Metro Manila, Philippines due to the 2013–14 Thai political crisis.[4][5] The ownership group that moved the team to Manila comprises Filipinos Hans T. Sy, Jean Henri Lhuillier, Kevin Belmonte, Haresh Hiranand, and Bala Swaminathan.[6] Sy is president of SM Prime Holdings, the largest shopping mall operator in the Philippines.[7] Lhuillier is the President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, which operates Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop, a large pawnshop chain in the Philippines, as well as related businesses.[8]

By June 2014, the Manila franchise had been named the Manila Mavericks.[9]

On 27 October 2014, Manila resident Treat Huey was named the Mavericks' first coach.[10]

Inaugural season

Main article: 2014 Manila Mavericks season

The Mavericks will open their inaugural season with a home match on 28 November 2014, against the UAE Royals.[11]

Mavericks owners are Hans Sy, Jean Henri Lhuillier, Kevin Belmonte, Haresh Hiranand and foreign partner Bala Swaminathan [12]

Second season

The Manila Mavericks changed their name to the "Philippine Mavericks".[13]

Third season

The Mavericks will not be taking part in the third season reportedly due to financial constraints and political situation in the Philippines. However the team owners dispute this reason saying that the team is "ready and committed for the long haul", and that as businessmen, the Philippines is capable of hosting IPTL matches. They say that the IPTL failed to fulfill its obligations to the franchise and will only reconsider joining the next season if these obligations were fulfilled.[14][15]

Home venue

On 23 July 2014, the Mavericks announced that their home matches would be played at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metropolitan Manila.[16] On 29 August 2014, IPTL announced that the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metropolitan Manila, the first choice as a home for the Mavericks, had opened up the dates of the team's home matches making it possible for the Mavericks to play there.[17][18]

Television coverage

On 7 November 2014, IPTL announced it had reached an agreement for the Philippines television broadcasting rights with ABS-CBN for its 2014 season.[19]

On November 9, 2015, IPTL went into one-year broadcast agreement with Philippine sports broadcaster Sports5 for the online and television airing of the games.[20]

Most recent roster

As of 24 November 2015[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mahesh Bhupathi Launched IPTL in Melbourne". Jagran Josh. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Mumbai One of the Franchises in Cash-Rich International Premier Tennis League". CNN IBN Live. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  3. ^ Briggs, Simon (2 March 2014). "Andy Murray Signs for Bangkok As Premier Tennis League Prepares for Take-Off". The Telegraph. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Bhupathi's IPTL Opener Moved to Manila from Bangkok". The Times of India. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Tennis – Political Unrest Costs Bangkok New League Staging Rights". Reuters. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  6. ^ "Successful IPTL Debut a Testament to Filipinos' Love of Tennis". The Philippine Star. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Board of Directors". SM Prime Holdings. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Owners / Management Team". P.J. Lhuillier Incorporated. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  9. ^ Ousman, Allaam (25 June 2014). "Djokovic Leads UAE Royals at Inaugural IPTL: Dubai Will Host Finale of $1 Million Tournament from December 11–13". Emirates 24/7. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  10. ^ "International Premier Tennis League Announces Coaches for Inaugural Edition". Spicy Stars Mumbai. 28 October 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Schedule". International Premier Tennis League. Archived from the original on 23 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  12. ^ "Schedule". Philstar. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  13. ^ "WATCH: Why did the Philippine Mavericks change their name?". The Philippine Star. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Philippine Mavericks out of IPTL Season 3". The Philippine Star. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  15. ^ Reyes, Marc (9 December 2016). "Lhuillier, Mavericks air side over missing IPTL season 3". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  16. ^ Reyes, Marc Anthony (23 July 2014). "Sharapova Adds Oomph to Manila Mavericks". Asia News Network. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  17. ^ "Manila Mavericks Tickets on Sale from 1 September 2014" (PDF) (Press release). International Premier Tennis League. 29 August 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  18. ^ Almo, Alder (31 August 2014). "'Masha Mania' to Hit Manila as IPTL Tickets Go on Sale". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  19. ^ "Coca-Cola International Premier Tennis League to be Broadcast in More Than 125 Countries Worldwide" (PDF) (Press release). International Premier Tennis League. 7 November 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  20. ^ Cordero, Abac (2015-11-09). "IPTL-TV5 partnership an ace". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  21. ^ "Doubles specialist to replace Tsonga in Philippine Mavericks cast".

External links

International Premier Tennis League (IPTL)
Tennis
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