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 three teams based in Metro Manila's Eastern District and play their home games at Marikina Sports Center.

Marikina Shoemasters
2024 Marikina Shoemasters season
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 coachRysal Castro

The team began play as an expansion team for 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

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2018–2020: Founding and initial struggles

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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

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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.[2] 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. 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).

After the 2023 season, Elvis Tolentino departed Marikina after four seasons with the team, bringing his coaching duties to South Cotabato. Rysal Castro is set to succeed his role beginning in 2024.

Home venues

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The Marikina Shoemasters first played their home games in the city's Marist School in the 2018–19 season. Starting with the 2019–20 season, the team began playing at the Marikina Sports Center, which would become their primary venue from 2022 onwards.

Venue Location 2018–19 2019–20 2022 2023 2024
Marist School
(Marist School Gymnasium)
Marikina  Y  Y  N  N  N
Marikina Sports Center  N  Y  Y  Y  N

Current roster

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Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 1 Landayan, Jomel (HG) 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
G 2 Escoto, Jethro (HG) 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
F 4 Pili, Eric 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) St. Benilde
F 5 Estacio, Ahron 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
G 6 Tan, Eloie (HG) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
F 7 Codinera, Jude 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
G 8 Castellano, Miguel 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
G 9 Evangelista Jr., Gama 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
F 10 Igliane, Andrei (SGL) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
G 11 Mabigat, Mel (HG) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
C 12 Demigaya, Arman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
G 13 Mosqueda, Sidney (SGL) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
F 14 Zaballe, Silas (HG) 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
G 15 Vitug, Sancho 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
F 21 Fontanilla, Kian Christopher 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
G 22 Casajeros, Ranzel (HG) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Philippine Christian
G 23 Olavides, Jay-r (HG) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
G 24 Anderson, Gerald 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 1989-03-07
F 37 Tolentino, Jexter 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Philippine Christian
C 41 Basco, Marlon 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 1978–06–10 Luzon
F 77 Udjan, Adzhar 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
F Corteza, Miguel 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 1998–02–23 St. Benilde
Head coach
  • Rysal Castro
Assistant coach(es)
  • Jun De Jose
  • Monroe Cueson
  • John Paul Basilan
  • Francis Arabit

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

Updated as of: June 30, 2024

Head coaches

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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

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MPBL All-Star Day

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PBA players

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Season-by-season records

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League champions
Division champions
Qualified for playoffs
Best regular season record
Season Regular season Playoffs
Division Finish GP W L PCT GB Stage Results
Marikina Shoemasters
2018–19
Datu Cup
South 11th 25 8 17 .320 12 Did not qualify
2019–20
Lakan Season
North 13th 30 8 22 .267 18 Did not qualify
2022 North 8th 21 8 13 .381 13 Division quarterfinals lost vs. Nueva Ecija, 0–2
2023 North 8th 28 16 12 .571 10 Division quarterfinals lost vs. Pampanga, 0–2
2024 North To be determined Eliminated from playoff contention
All-time regular season record 104 40 64 .385 2 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record 4 0 4 .000 0 Finals appearances
All-time overall record 108 40 68 .370 0 championships

References

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  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. ^ "MPBL: Bataan survives Pampanga in OT for QF decider as Nueva Ecija cruises to semis". Tiebreaker Times. October 23, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2024.