Marikina Shoemasters

This article is about the men's basketball team. For its women's volleyball counterpart, see Marikina Lady Shoemasters.

Marikina Shoemasters
League	MPBL (2018–present) Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 (formerly)
Founded	2018 (2018)
History	Marikina Shoemasters (2018–2020, 2022–present) Marikina Shoe City (2021)
Arena	Marikina Sports Center
Location	Marikina
Team colors
Head coach	Elvis Tolentino

The Marikina Shoemasters are a Filipino professional basketball team based in Marikina. The team currently competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as one of 11 active teams based in Metro Manila. Marikina is also one of four teams based in the Eastern Manila District, playing their home games at Marikina Sports Center.

The team began play during 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. In 2023, the Shoemasters launched its junior side, the Marikina Junior Shoemasters, for the inaugural season of the Junior MPBL.

Their women's volleyball counterpart, the Marikina Lady Shoemasters, participates in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA).

History

2018–2020: Founding and initial struggles

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 and developing further

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. 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.

In 2023, 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).

Current roster

Marikina Shoemasters roster
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 Injured Roster – via Genius Sports Updated as of: June 30, 2024

Head coaches

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

Marikina Shoemasters notable players
Player	Position	Tenure	Awards	All-Star
Gerald Anderson		2018–2019 2023–present	—	1 (2019)
Renato Ular		2018–2020	—	1 (2020)
Lorenzo Joson		2022	—	1 (2022)
Felipe Chavez		2023	—	1 (2023)

Season-by-season records

Records as of 2023 MPBL season:

Season	Team name	Elimination round					Playoffs
		Division	Finish	W	L	PCT	Stage	Results
2018–19 Datu Cup	Marikina Shoemasters	South	11th/13	8	17	.320	Did not qualify
2019–20 Lakan Cup		North	13th/16	8	22	.267	Did not qualify
2022 Mumbaki Cup			8th/11	8	13	.381	First Round	lost vs. Nueva Ecija 0–2
2023			8th/15	16	12	.571	First Round	lost vs. Pampanga 0–2
Total elimination round				40	64	.385	1 playoff appearance
Total playoffs				0	4	.000	0 Finals appearances
Total franchise				40	68	.370	0 championships

Invitational records

Season	Team name	Elimination round					Playoffs
		Division	Finish	W	L	PCT	Stage	Results
2021	Marikina Shoe City	Group B	4th/5	1	3	.250	Did not qualify
Total elimination round				1	3	.250	0 playoff appearances
Total playoffs				0	0	–	0 Finals appearances
Total franchise				1	3	.250	0 championships