Push Admin

MPBL: Ex PBA pro Chris Baluyot is councilor by day, Bulacan Kuya by night

Article (news)

Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/02/13/chris-baluyot-2018-021318.jpg"/><figcaption>Former Air21 player Chris Baluyot, who serves as a municipal councilor in Bulacan, warms up during a game for the Bulacan Kuyas in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>Several players have been thankful for the formation of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.One of them is former PBA player Chris Baluyot, who serves as a municipal councilor in Hagonoy town, Bulacan.The 6-foot-3 swingman now plays for the Bulacan Kuyas, one of 10 clubs playing in the MPBL.“Swerte ako’t nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon ni Senator Manny (Pacquiao) na magkaroon ng ganitong liga dahil pwede na akong maglaro sa homecourt namin,” he told ABS-CBN News. “I can now train everyday kasi hindi ganoong kalayo sa bayan namin kaya nag-decide akong mag-commit sa Bulacan Kuyas.”Baluyot played for Air21 in the 2007-08 PBA season before he decided to throw his hat in the political arena.He acknowledged that he needed to stay away from pro basketball during his first term as councilor.“Nag-focus talaga ako bilang public servant kasi kelangang sulitin natin ang tiwalang ibinigay ng kababayan natin. So siguro for the first 3-4 years nag-lie low ako sa high-level basketball,” Baluyot said.But when Pacquiao formed the MPBL, which brought the games to provinces, this gave Baluyot a chance to lace his sneakers up again.What Baluyot likes most about the league is that it brings unheralded players a chance to shine in the national spotlight. He said this is a big break for talented players from far-flung areas who remain undiscovered. “Malaking opportunity ito para sa mga kabataan. Dati kasi pag pang inter-barangay, inter-town &#x27;yung program nandoon lang ang mga players,” he said. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/10/18/at-45-years-old-basketball-never-stopped-for-marlou-aquino">At 45 years old, basketball never stopped for Marlou Aquino</a></li></ul>“ ‘Yung mga mahihiyain na players na magagaling, ‘yung di sanay sa camera, ‘di makapuntang Manila, di makapunta sa malalaking college teams, nahihiya, natatakot mag-aral, ito na ang chance nila.“Dito hindi ka na dadaan sa malalaking college teams sa Manila. Pwede ka ng maglaro directly &#x27;pag na-discover ka ng mga different teams ng province and cities,” he added.Baluyot said his PBA experience has given him a slight edge over his younger counterparts, but wants to use that to mentor his teammates.&quot;Kahit papano nandoon pa rin ang respect sa &#x27;tin, pero kakabalik lang natin so kailangan ibalik pa rin ang dating hard work,&quot; he said.&quot;May kasabihan tayo na &#x27;yung talent natatalo ng hardwork. &#x27;Yun siguro ang sikreto at &#x27;yun din ang shine-share natin sa mga magagaling sa amin. Useless ang galing natin kung hindi tayo masisipag.&quot;(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

Quite a number of players were thankful with the formation of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Quite a number of players were thankful with the formation of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

MPBL: Ex PBA pro Chris Baluyot is councilor by day, Bulacan Kuya by night

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Sports

MPBL: Ex PBA pro Chris Baluyot is councilor by day, Bulacan Kuya by night

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 13, 2018 09:08 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

MPBL

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.