After being beaten off the boards by their opponents last year, Pangasinan failed to reach the playoffs of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Sixth Season last year.

Heatwaves head coach Jerson Cabiltes acknowledges that so in the coming MPBL Seventh Season that will open on 8 March, they will do everything to bang bodies underneath and snag those rebounds.

Enter rebounders Vic Manuel and Lervin Flores and versatile swingman Jorey Napoles whom Cabiltes believes could add muscles and solve their woes in shaded lanes.

The presence of Manuel, who will officially join the team on 1 March, Flores and Napoles gives the Heatwaves the defensive flexibility and lessens the workload of Michael Mabulac, Jay Collado, JayR Taganas, Vince Tolentino and local star JR Caasi in the frontcourt.

“Our chances (this year) are better,” said Cabiltes, who steered the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards to the MPBL crown in 2022.

Although he believes the Heatwaves are ready to turn up the heat with the addition of the trio, Mike DiGregorio and Bong Galanza, Cabiltes tempers his expectations, noting that “the other teams are also preparing and strengthening.”

Now, however, Cabiltes doesn’t need to be too concerned with the powerhouse Pampanga Giant Lanterns, the reigning back-to-back MPBL champions.

“Without Balti (Justine Baltazar), it’s anybody’s ballgame,” Cabiltes said.

Pangasinan, which draws firepower from Michael Juico, Mac Tallo and Hesed Gabo, is competing in the ongoing Pilipinas Super League, where it is a major contender.

Completing the Heatwaves’ roster are Ian Melencio, Jhapz Bautista, Nat Cosejo, Joshua Fontanilla, Raymond Capin, Emilio Aguinaldo College recruit King Gurtiza and Alaminos City Mayor Bryan Celeste.