Wikipedia - Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines
The Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines were a Filipino semi-professional basketball team based in Navotas. The team last played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and played their home games at Navotas Sports Complex.
The team joined the league as a founding member for the 2018 season, going by the Navotas Clutch for its first two seasons. The team departed after the 2019–20 season, and as of 2023 is the only founding team that remains inactive.
History
The Navotas Clutch joined the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League as one of ten charter teams during its inaugural season. The team made the playoffs that season, but lost to the Muntinlupa Cagers in the quarterfinals. In the 2018–19 season, the team once again made the playoffs, but once again lost in the first round to the San Juan Knights.
The team changed its name to the Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines for the 2019-20 season, but ended up with a record of 7-22, the second-worst in the Northern Division. As of the 2023 season, Navotas is the only charter team that is currently inactive in the league.
Das Team wird von Trainer Eric Altamirano trainiert, einem ehemaligen PBA-Spieler. Zu den bekanntesten Spielern von Navotas Clutch gehören Jaymo Eguilos, Jeric Teng und Ryan Araña.
In der Saison 2019 erreichte Navotas Clutch das Halbfinale der MPBL. Das Team hofft, in der Saison 2020 noch einen Schritt weiter zu gehen und seine erste Meisterschaft zu gewinnen.