Ever since, I am an avid supporter of tourism and promoter of local brands. Hapee Toothpaste, the #1 Filipino-made toothpaste, is one of the products that's competing with multinational companies in the Philippines.

Just last year, Hapee Toothpaste joins the PBA D-League Aspirant's Cup with its full support to promote the brand and push its advocacy of helping the Filipino youth through sports. With its powerful team, Hapee Fresh Fighters is now ready to bag another Championship Title with this year's PBA D-League Foundation Cup.

During the press conference last April 9, 2015, Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, Lamoiyan Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer said that Hapee Toothpaste's comeback last season after years of hiatus is a big move for the company and now ready to tap more potential talents of Filipino youth when it comes to sports especially in basketball.

Despite some players are not yet returning for this season, people can still expect that Hapee Fresh Fighters is a force to be reckoned with in this cup. According to the Team Manager Bernard Yang, the owners decided to bring in new faces when the league started this year because some of its players from San Beda Red Lions are in the United States for their collegiate basketball training.

The team's line-up includes San Beda standouts Mar Villahermosa, Mark Romero, Arvie Bringas, and Leo Gabo, former NU star Bobby Ray Parks, former LaSalle player Jovet Mendoza, and Ateneo's Nico Elorde and Kirk Long.

Rounding up the team are Gilas Cadet Garvo Lanete, NU's Troy Rosario, Perpetual Help's Scottie Thompson, UP's Mark Lopez, PBA's Marvin Hayes, and Mike Gamboa. 

Headed by former PBA star coach Ronnie Magsanoc, Hapee Fresh Fighters team is still intact despite some changes. Aside from their head coach, joining the coaching team are former PBA star Benjie Paras and former UP player Xavi Nunag.

"The coaching staffs including Mr. Magsanoc has accepted the challenge to handle the team and give us a second win. After all, Ronnie is one of the best minds in amateur basketball" said Joel Pedro, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lamoiyan Coporation.

The Hapee Bloggers

For more information about the game, you can follow Hapee Fresh Fighters social media accounts:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hapeefreshfighters

Photos by: Ria Ilano