This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Marikina Shoemasters" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Marikina Shoemasters
Marikina Shoemasters logo
LeagueMPBL
Founded2018; 6 years ago (2018)
HistoryMarikina Shoemasters (2018–2020, 2022–present)
Marikina Shoe City (2021)
ArenaMarikina Sports Center
LocationMarikina
Team colors     
Head coachElvis Tolentino

The Marikina Shoemasters are a Filipino professional basketball team based in Marikina. The team competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's North Division. They are one of four teams based in Metro Manila's Eastern District and play their home games at Marikina Sports Center.

The team began play as an expanion team fir the 2018–19 season. The name references Marikina's moniker as the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines".

The team has also participated in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3.[1] In 2023, the Shoemasters launched its junior side, the Marikina Junior Shoemasters, for the inaugural season of the Junior MPBL. Later that same year, their women's volleyball counterpart, the Marikina Lady Shoemasters, began play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA).

History

2018–2020: Founding and initial struggles

The Marikina Shoemasters were established in 2018, as part of the MPBL's expansion lineup for the 2018–19 season. As part of the South Division, the Shoemasters, led by Yves Sazon and Erwin Sta. Maria, only managed to win eight games out of 25, putting the team at 11th place in the South.

Heading into the 2019–20 season, Marikina was realigned to the North Division, and despite keeping the same core players, the team still only won eight games in the 30-game season, putting the team at 13th in the North and missing the playoffs once again.

2022–present: Making the playoffs and developing further

The Shoemasters entered the 2022 season with a rebuilt roster led by Lorenzo Joson. Although the team only finished with an 8–13 record, it was enough to give Marikina its first playoff appearance. The team would then be swept by the undefeated Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the First Round. Although Joson would leave the team for General Santos in 2023, Marikina would add Felipe Chavez and collegiate player Marwin Dionisio alongside Joe Gomez de Liaño to its roster.

In 2023, Marikina went on to have a tough playoff race against the Bataan Risers, which Marikina won in the final week as they claimed the eighth seed once again. On top of that, Marikina finished 16–12, their first winning record in franchise history. In the playoffs, the Shoemasters would be swept by the top seed Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the First Round.

Marikina would also broaden its venture into sports development around this time. The Marikina Junior Shoemasters joined as part of the founding lineup of the youth-oriented Junior MPBL. Its women's volleyball counterpart, the Marikina Lady Shoemasters, was also established and will play in the inaugural season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA).

Current roster

Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 1 Landayan, Jomel (HG)
G 3 Gomez de Liaño, Joe
C 3 Palattao, Brent 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) TIP
G/F 7 Tolentino, Kyle 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Letran
8 Narra, Rian
F 14 Zabale, Silas (HG)
F 20 Atabay, Mark
F 21 Barres, Jericho
G 22 Casajeros, Ranzel 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Philippine Christian
G 25 Arenal, Ryan Jay
G 28 Berjay, RV (HG)
F 37 Tolentino, Jexter
F 77 Udjan, Adzhar
G 88 Pestaño, Gabriel
Padua, Justine
Roque Jr., Arthur
White, Anthony
F Zeller, Eduard (HG, SGL)
Head coach
  • Rysal Castro
Assistant coach(es)
  • Monroe Cueson

Legend
  • (HG) Homegrown
  • (FF) Filipino-foreigner
  • (SGL) Special Guest Licensee
  • Injured Injured

Updated as of: February 19, 2024

Head coaches

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (January 2024)
Marikina Shoemasters head coaches
2018–present
# Name Start End Regular Season Playoffs Best Finish Achievements
GC W L Win% GC W L Win%
1 Elvis Tolentino 2018 present 11 4 7 .364 0 0 0

Notable players

Marikina Shoemasters notable players
Player Position Tenure Awards All-Star
Gerald Anderson[2][3] 2018–2019
2023–present
1 (2019)
Renato Ular 2018–2020 1 (2020)
Lorenzo Joson 2022 1 (2022)
Felipe Chavez 2023 1 (2023)

Season-by-season records

Records as of the 2023 MPBL season:
Season Regular season Playoffs
Division Finish W L PCT Stage Results
Marikina Shoemasters
2018–19
Datu Cup
South 11th 8 17 .320 Did not qualify
2019–20
Lakan Cup
North 13th 8 22 .267 Did not qualify
2022 North 8th 8 13 .381 First Round lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 0–2
2023 North 8th 16 12 .571 First Round lost vs. Pampanga, 0–2
All-time regular season record 40 64 .385 2 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record 0 4 .000 0 Finals appearances
All-time overall record 40 68 .370 0 championships

References

  1. ^ Li, Matthew (March 2, 2019). "Dream come true for 'starstruck' Gerald Anderson to play in Chooks 3×3". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Lim, Allan (May 7, 2018). "Actor Gerald Anderson to play for Marikina in MPBL". Hoops.ph. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  3. ^ Dawa, Elech (May 7, 2018). "MPBL: Gerald Anderson pambida ng Marikina". Abante Tonite. Retrieved May 28, 2018.