Artadi inks P1.2M pact with Ginebra

By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
Last updated 03:33am (Mla time) 10/08/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Paul Artadi, the disgruntled Purefoods guard who found his way to Barangay Ginebra just two weeks ago, recently signed a one-year P1.2 million pact with the Gin Kings.

The 5-foot-10 Artadi, who spent the first three years of his career with the Tender Juicy Giants after being drafted in the first round, will now play behind Jay-Jay Helterbrand and former MVP Johnny Abarrientos coming off the bench for the Kings.

Artadi never really blossomed into the vital cog of a player he was expected to be when he entered the league together with the likes of fellow University of the East alumnus James Yap and Rich Alvarez. And his career took a turn for the worse when he and Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio had a falling out.

With Ginebra, Artadi will get to learn a lot from Abarrientos, the 1996 MVP when Alaska completed only the league’s fourth Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, it’s all systems go for the 33rd season of the league, which comes off the wraps on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

A techno-inspired opening ceremony ushers in the season at 4:30 p.m. before San Miguel, last year’s runner-up which will now play under the Magnolia Beverage banner, clash with Air21 in the only game scheduled at 6:30 p.m.