Olongapo Volunteers

Olongapo Volunteers
Leagues	Metropolitan Basketball Association
Founded	2002
History	2002
Location	Olongapo City, Zambales, Philippines
Uniforms
Home Away

The Olongapo Volunteers was a former professional basketball team in the Metropolitan Basketball Association in 2002. The Volunteers enjoyed success in their only season in the league, making the semifinals of the tournament.

History

In 2002, the Olongapo Volunteers became the eighth member of the MBA after the departure of the Nueva Ecija Patriots. The team was managed by Mayor Katherine Gordon and later, by Senator Richard Gordon.

Junel Baculi, who steered Hapee Toothpaste and Welcoat to PBL titles was hired as the head coach and nabbed several former PBA veterans such as Johnadel Cardel, Joel Dualan, Henry Fernandez as well as former PBL veterans Eugene Tan, Kerwin McCoy, Brixter Encarnacion and Calijohn Orfecio. Fil-am Jeff Flowers was also signed by the expansion ballclub.

In the MBA First Conference, Olongapo held the best record in the Northern Conference with a 7-3 record, and a home game in the semifinals against the Batangas Blades. However, the Blades escaped with a 76-75 victory to advance to the championship round against the eventual champions the Negros Slashers.

Olongapo was renamed as the Gilbey's-Olongapo Volunteers, but the league folded in the middle of the second conference.

Notable players

• Jeff Flowers
• Eugene Tan
• Brixter Encarnacion
• Johnadel Cardel
• Jerome Barbosa
• Topex Robinson
• Allen Glenn Patrimonio
• Calijohn Ofrecio
• Joel Dualan
• Kerwin McCoy
• Julius Binuya
• Ferdinand Go
• Henry Fernandez
• Bob Allen
• Ricky Vinoya

See also

• Metropolitan Basketball Association