Bulls eyeing Se

By Zean Macamay

HOMER Se may soon find himself back in his former team.

The reliable big man of Air21 is being pursued no less by Red Bull, a team Se played for in the past and at present, badly in need of another power forward to bolster its weak frontline.

Lito Alvarez, team manager of the Express, said recently that new PBA chairman Tony Chua expressed desire to rehire the services of the 6-6 player to fill up the gap left by Enrico Villanueva, the former Finals MVP traded to San Miguel last season.

Although not necessarily belonging in the class of Villanueva, Se has long proven his value as a role player, particularly as a strong defender and rebounder, and could at times be of great help on offense.

Getting Se, however, may come at a price.

The Express are keen on giving up Se if ever the Bulls give up Carlo Sharma, the player Red Bull plucked out from the free agency market and who turned out to be a big revelation last season.

Sharma helped the Bulls finish fourth in the Philippine Cup and third in the Fiesta Conference early this year, and his being dealt to the Express may not get the approval of coach Yeng Guiao.

After losing Villanueva, Red Bull suddenly has become a vulnerable team inside the paint. It also absorbed a big blow last week when Rich Alvarez suffered an ACL injury and won’t be back for at least four months.

Without Alvarez, the Bulls were left with only Mick Pennisi and Sharma to man the inside, and may not get much help from new recruit Mark Andaya, a sophomore.

In other developments:
Samigue Eman finally inked a two-year deal with San Miguel Tuesday.
Hector Calma, the Beermen’s team manager, said that Eman, the No. 2 overall draft pick, signed a two-year deal with San Miguel, a team considered as a hot favorite to win the Philippine Cup that begins on Oct. 24.

Eman is expected to act as a back-up to Danny Ildefonso and Villanueva, but could find his playing time dwindle once the injured Dorian Peña returns to action in two months’ time.

Calma refused to disclose the details of the deal. Many, however, consider Eman as a mere trade bait, particularly on JC Intal.

Intal, who on Tuesday also signed an P8 million three-year pact with the Express, is the player the Beermen desire to snatch as one coming off the bench for Dondon Hontiveros.

" Chua revealed that he is contemplating on including members of the media in the panel that will select the league’s permanent commissioner.

“I think it will be of great help to the PBA if we invite the media to play a key role in selecting the league’s future commissioner,” said Chua Wednesday.

The Red Bull team manager said that those being eyed are columnists and editors, and those covering the PBA beat. He said that at this point, at least two and a maximum of five media members are being considered.