Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Coke continues rebuilding process
MANILA - Teams on a rebuilding mode for the coming 34th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are the least of Coca-Cola coach Binky Favis’ envy.
Afterall, as he himself attested, the Tigers themselves had been the first ones to initiate it, shaking up their roster whenever opportunity presented itself last year.
The circumstances netted the franchise the likes of Asi Taulava, Nic Belasco, Mark Telan, Mark Macapagal and Aris Dimaunahan, but had to give up players such as Ali Peek, Joseph Yeo, Chris Pacana, William Antonio, Chester Tolomia, Irvin Sotto, Leo Avenido, Kalani Ferreria and Allan Salangsang in return.
“We’ve been there before. Last year pa nga kami nagre-rebuild,” he said, adding the Tigers had to make do with a total of 15 player changes in a span of a season.
“In my years of stay in the PBA, ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng ganun,” said Favis.
However, that doesn’t mean Coca-Cola won’t try to improve for the 2007-08 season which formally kicks off on Oct. 4 at the Araneta Coliseum. It’s a task, which according to Favis, is a continuous process.
Rebuilding
“The rebuilding process for Coca-Cola is continuous. It may not be thru acquisitions, but in improving ourselves as a team,” said Favis.
As a whole, Favis will try to improve the very same core that came one win short of barging into the Final Four of the last Smart Fiesta Conference. The Tigers lost to the Magnolia Beverage Masters in the deciding game of their quarterfinals series, 78-60.
Inside presence
The Tigers again would rely on the inside presence of Taulava, Telan and Belasco, the outside snipings of Macapagal, Dimaunahan and Ronjay Buenafe, the backcourt savvy of Alex Cabagnot, the hustle plays of Ricky Calimag and Cesar Catli and the veteran presence of Kenneth Duremdes and John Arigo.
It also lessened Favis concern that the 6-foot-10 Taulava has finally come to terms with management on a fresh, multi-million contract.
“Actually, I’m not in a position to speak on that. But from what I understand nagka-ayos na sila ng management,” said the Tigers coach.
The Tigers had no pick in the last PBA Draft and instead opted to try out free agents Froilan Baguion and big man Lawrence Bonus (rookie free agent) and fill up the remaining spots in the team.
“We’ve lined them up for the pre-season tournament and after which, doon namin titignan kung puwede silang i-sign up,” Favis said.
With practically an intact line up to show, the young Coca-Cola mentor is banking on the team’s cohesion to chalk up the victories that had eluded the Tigers in their past campaigns.
Defending champion Sta. Lucia is the only other team outside of Coca-Cola which managed to keep the core of its unit from last year. (PBA Media Bureau)
