Everyone says Beermen will rule

By: Gerry Ramos
People's Journal
September 29, 2007

MACAU – By the end of its first Board meeting for the 2007-08 season, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors readily reached a majority consensus: San Miguel Beer is the team to beat in the coming Philippine Cup.

Although not included in the agenda of their annual planning session, at least seven of the Board members present here agreed that the Beermen are a force to reckon with in the season-opening conference of the league that kicks off on Oct.14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

All of them are one in saying that youth, championship experience and a powerhouse cast are what separate the Beermen from the rest of the field.

“Of course, just one look at the 10 teams and you’ll easily pick San Miguel as the favorite this conference,” said PBA chairman Tony Chua, not necessarily speaking in behalf of the entire Board, but whose observation was backed up by most of the governors.

“Admittedly, it’s San Miguel,” added Lito Alvarez, board representative of Air21, getting a repeated nod from Alaska’s Joaqui Trillo who was keenly listening from not far behind.

Already parading a star-studded lineup that has the likes of two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Danny Ildefonso, Olsen Racela, Lordy Tugade, Enrico Villanueva, LA Tenorio, Wesley Gonzales, Chris Calaguio, Willy Wilson and comebacking RP team members Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros, the Beermen became even more potent following the off-season acquisition of Larry Fonacier, the 2005 Rookie of the Year, and promising rookies Samigue Eman and Jonas Villanueva.

Veteran big man Dorian Pena will not be around in the opening conference, still trying to recuperate from the achilles injury he suffered last conference. But the 6-foot-10 Eman, drafted second overall pick in the last Rookie Draft, is there to take the vacant spot at center.

“Their acquisition of Eman was a plus factor especially with Dorian Pena not around,” said Purefoods board member Rene Pardo.

Under coach Chot Reyes, the Beermen reached the finals of last year’s Philippine Cup, but faltered in the stretch after leading Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-seven series, 2-0.

Siot Tanquingcen, the former Ginebra mentor, took over in the season-ending Fiesta Cup and steered the Beermen all the way to the semifinals even without Seigle and Hontiveros around.

Former chairman Ely Capacio of San Miguel just tried to ignore the thoughts of his fellow Board members, letting out a hearty laugh and stressing, “intact din naman ang lahat ng teams like Talk ‘N Text, Alaska and Purefoods.”

With national players Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and RenRen Ritualo rejoining Talk ‘N Text, the Phone Pals emerged the second team picked by the Board as title contender behind the Beermen.

“Nakapag-finals nga sila ng wala `yung tatlo, di lalo na siguro kung buo sila ngayon,” Welcoat’s Mamerto Mondragon pointed out, referring to the runner-up finish accomplished by the Phone Pals in the last Fiesta Cup led by Best Player of the Conference winner Mac Cardona.

Robert Non of defending champion Barangay Ginebra also picked San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text as the top teams this season, but considers the Purefoods Giants
as perhaps the most dangerous squad.

“Lahat ng teams may tulog sa Purefoods,” he said of the team that won the 2005 Philippine Cup behind former league MVP James Yap and big man Kerby Raymundo.

Air21, which boasts young and promising players Arwind Santos, KG Canaleta, Ranidel de Ocampo and rookies JC Intal and Doug Kramer, was the common choice of the Board as the season’s darkhorse squad.