23 – players who saw action in at least one game in the last Philippine Cup but are not listed in any opening-day lineup for the Fiesta Conference. The absentees are Japeth Aguilar, Erwin Sotto, Benedict Fernandez, Alex Crisano, Bruce Viray, Magnum Membrere, Adonis Sta. Maria, Gec Chia, Kevin White, Johnny Abarrientos, Cesar Catli, Francis Allera, Dale Singson, Rodney Santos, Ronjay Enrile, Nur Jam Alfad, Chris Calaguio, Ardy Larong, Chris Pacana, Chito Jaime, Mark Benitez, Orlando Daroya and Jonathan de Guzman.
15 – players moving to new teams from last conference. The transferees are Mike Cortez, Rich Alvarez, Ren-Ren Ritualo and Doug Kramer of Air21, Sam Eman of Alaska, Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols of Barangay Ginebra, Chito Lanete of Coca-Cola (traded last Jan. 4 but hasn’t suited up for the Tigers), Alex Cabagnot and Joseph Yeo of San Miguel Beer, Bonbon Custodio and Donbel Belano of Sta. Lucia Realty and Mark Yee, J. R. Quinahan and Aaron Aban of Talk ‘N’ Text.
12 – players undrafted since 2005 but in lineups in the Fiesta Conference. The late bloomers are from the 2005 pool, Christian Coronel and Jerwin Gaco, from 2006, Dennis Daa, Chad Alonzo, Don Dulay, Lanete, Erick Rodriguez and Al Vergara, from 2008, Yee and from 2009, Josh Urbiztondo, Bryan Faundo and Ramsey Williams.
8 – players returning from injuries or whatever reason after sitting out last conference. The comebacking veterans are Rodriguez of Air21, Coronel, Rob Wainwright and Vergara of Barako Coffee, Junthy Valenzuela of Barangay Ginebra, William Antonio of Coca-Cola, Allan Salangsang of Rain Or Shine and Kelvin Gregorio of Sta. Lucia Realty. Coronel, Wainwright and Vergara saw action in the inaugural season of the Asean Basketball League (ABL). Antonio, who hasn’t played since 2007, retains his position as assistant coach with Coca-Cola.
5 – new imports signed up for the Fiesta Conference. Barako Coffee’s Sammy Monroe smashed a backboard on a breakaway dunk en route to powering the Rochester Razorbacks to a 142-112 win over the Arkansas Impact in the 2008 Premier Basketball League title game. He did it again in Rochester’s 152-115 romp over the Battle Creek Knights in retaining the crown the next year. Both shatters caused a 45-minute delay to replace the damaged boards. Alaska’s Diamon Simpson is a Chuck Hayes play-alike and finished his St. Mary’s career as the all-time leader in rebounds, blocked shots, steals, free throws made and free throws attempted. He averaged 16 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the Los Angeles Defenders in the NBDL this year. Simpson was among the Golden State Warriors’ final cuts last October. Ginebra’s Awvee Storey played for New Jersey, Washington and Milwaukee in the NBA and led the Wonju TG Sambo Xers to the Korean league championship in 2005. Air21’s Keena Young was a 2006-07 honorable mention All-American after averaging 17.4 points, shooting .543 from the floor and .803 from the line, as a senior for Brigham Young, the same school that produced Danny Ainge and Kresimir Cosic. B-Meg Derby Ace’s Lorenzo Wade is fresh from playing in Greece and was a star in three years at San Diego State whose coach Steve Fisher described him “as athletic a player as there is in the league ... extremely confident, intelligent and a big-time player, he carries himself in a fashion that he expects himself to be successful.”
5 – assistants in B-Meg Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio’s staff. No other team has more than four assistants. Gregorio’s lieutenants are Ronnie Magsanoc, Koy Banal, George Gallent, Rey Evangelista and Dayong Mendoza. Teams with four assistants are Alaska (Joel Banal, Dickie Bachmann, Luigi Trillo, Jojo Lastimosa), Rain Or Shine (Richard del Rosario, Mike Buendia, Jay Legacion, Jericho Ilagan), San Miguel Beer (Gee Abanilla, Biboy Ravanes, Pido Jarencio, Freddie Abuda) and Talk ‘N’ Text (Nash Racela, Aboy Castro, Patrick Fran, Joshua Reyes).
3 – team name changes. Burger King is back as the Air21 Express. Barako Bull is now the Barako Coffee Energy Masters. And the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants are the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados.
1 – rookie free agent breaking into the league. Jerwin Gaco, 29, was not picked in the 2005 PBA draft where Jay Washington was the top overall choice. The 6-1 1/2 forward from Quezon was an anchor for the Harbour Centre franchise that established a dynasty in the PBL. In 1999, the former La Salle standout teamed with James Yap, Paul Artadi and Erick Arejola to lead a crack Philippine selection to the Nike high school invitational championship in Taipei under coach Gallent and assistant Trillo. Gaco played for the Philippine Patriots that just won the ABL title and will suit up for Barako Coffee.
1 – new head coach. Junel Baculi takes over from Leo Isaac as Barako Coffee head coach. Isaac remains with the team as consultant. Baculi served briefly as one of coach Yeng Guiao’s assistants at Burger King last conference. Baculi’s assistants with the Energy Masters are Raymond Celis and former Letran hotshot Elmer Bola-bola.
1 – team with no roster changes from last conference. B-Meg Derby Ace, formerly Purefoods, made no lineup moves and retains the same cast that took the team to the Philippine Cup title. Gregorio begins practice tomorrow at the Green Meadows gym with import Wade booked to plane in early this morning on a Philippine Airlines flight.
Source: Joaquin Henson | Philstar.com
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