Quezon Huskers Explained

Quezon Huskers
Current:2024 Quezon Huskers season
League:URBL (2004–2005)
MPBL (2023–present)
PSL (2023–present)
Founded: (first incarnation)
(second incarnation)
History:Quezon Coco Huskers
2004–2005 (URBL)
Quezon Huskers
2023–present (MPBL)
Quezon Titans
2023–present (PSL)
Arena:Quezon Convention Center
Location:Lucena, Quezon
Coach:Eric Gonzales
Championships:PSL: 1 (2024)

The Quezon Huskers are a Filipino professional basketball team based in the province of Quezon. The team competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's South Division. They are one of five active teams based in Calabarzon and play their home games at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.

The team's first incarnation was the Quezon Coco Huskers of the United Regional Basketball League (URBL). The team ran from 2004 until 2005. The Huskers were then revived as an expansion team for the MPBL's 2023 season.[1] The team also competes Pilipinas Super League (PSL) under the name Quezon Titans. The Huskers also have a volleyball counterpart in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association in the Quezon Tangerines.[2]

Owned by the Provincial Government of Quezon,[3] [4] the Quezon-based franchise won one championship, during the PSL's President's Cup in 2024.[5]

History

First incarnation (2004–2005)

The team began play in 2004, when it was part of the now-defunct URBL.

Second incarnation (2023–present)

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

In January 2023, the MPBL announced that the league would be getting a new expansion team for the 2023 season. Later that month, Quezon Governor Angelina Tan announced that the team would be based in the province of Quezon. The team's name was later revealed as the Quezon Huskers. With the Huskers joining, Quezon became the last province in Calabarzon to have an MPBL team.

The team hosted the 2023 season opener, where they faced off against fellow expansion team Negros Muscovados. The Huskers pulled off a comeback in the second half to beat the Muscovados, 82–80.[3] The Huskers would then go on a seven-game winning streak to begin their inaugural season and eventually finish with a record of 19–9, clinching the fifth seed in the South Division. Quezon became the first team in the professional era to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. Despite forcing a game 3 in the First Round, the team would lose to the defending South champion Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines.

Pilipinas Super League

In October 2023, Quezon announced its entry to the PSL during the MPBL offseason. The team will be referred to as the Quezon Titans.

Team identity

The name Huskers alludes to Quezon Province's moniker as the "Coconut Capital of the Philippines'. It can also be a nod to the team's previous incarnation.

When the Huskers joined the MPBL in 2023, Governor Angelina Tan also announced a name-the-team contest, where anyone based in Quezon Province can submit a concept design of the team's identity. The contest was won by Ardocir Torio from Lucena, with an illustration of a carabao breaking the shell of a coconut. The same logo would be later used for the Quezon Junior Huskers. For their PSL debut later that year, the team used the Titans moniker.

Current roster

Head coaches

Notable players

Quezon Huskers notable players
PlayerPositionTenureAwardsAll-Star
Mark Alcala 2023–present align=left 1 (2023)
Ximone Sandagon 2023–present align=left 1 (2024)
Alfrancis Tamsi 2023–present align=left 1 (2023)
Ljay Gonzales 2024–present align=left 1 (2024)

Season-by-season records

League champions
Division champions
Qualified for playoffs
Best regular season record

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League

SeasonRegular seasonPlayoffs
Division FinishGP W !L PCT GBStage Results
Quezon Huskers
South 5th 28 19 9 4 First Round lost vs. Zamboanga, 1–2
South To be determined Qualified for playoffs
All-time regular season record 19 9 2 playoff appearances
All-time playoff record 1 2 0 Finals appearances
All-time overall record 20 11 0 championships

Pilipinas Super League

Season Elimination round Playoffs
Finish W L PCT Stage Results
Quezon Titans
2023–24
5th 14 4 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals
won vs. Novaliches, 1–0
won vs. Caloocan, 2–0
won vs. Biñan, 2–0
won vs. Nueva Ecija, 3–1
All-time elimination round record 14 4 1 playoff appearance
All-time playoff record 8 1 1 Finals appearance
All-time overall record 22 5 1 championship

Notes and References

  1. News: January 30, 2023 . MPBL welcomes Quezon Province, Negros Muscovados . February 4, 2023 . Manila Bulletin.
  2. Web site: Ulanday . John Bryan . 2024-06-26 . Quezon Tangerines vying in MPVA . 2024-07-14 . Philstar.com.
  3. Web site: March 13, 2023 . Quezon Huskers edge Negros for first win in MPBL . March 16, 2023 . The Manila Times.
  4. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . March 11, 2023 . Quezon Huskers eye playoff berth in maiden stint in MPBL . March 16, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  5. Web site: Saldajeno . Ivan . 2024-04-16 . Destiny fulfilled as Quezon pulls away late from Nueva Ecija to win PSL title . 2024-07-14 . Dugout Philippines.