Magnolia flaunts power lineup for next PBA season

Sunstar
October 5, 2007

Despite a new coach and minus two of its top guns, Magnolia Beverage, (San Miguel) still surpassed the expectations of many, after an amazing run all the way to the semifinals of last season’s PBA Fiesta Cup.

Now, having adjusted with the system of Siot Tanquingcen and with Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros back on the team’s regular rotation, it’s frightening to know what the Beverage Masters can accomplish.

Tanquingcen, taking over the reins from Chot Reyes last conference, said the Beverage Masters are a work in progress and he expects to get better deep into the season of the Philippine Cup, which opens on Oct. 14.

“We’re still at the conditioning stage,” said Tanquingcen, the soft-spoken former Santo Tomas stalwart, who is credited for being the main architect for Barangay Ginebra’s back-to-back title in 2004-2005.

Potential

“We see the potential of this team as we have strengthened our backcourt and wing spots.”

By that, the Magnolia mentor is referring to the off-season acquisitions including 2005 Rookie of the Year Larry Fonacier from Red Bull and freshmen Samigue Eman and Jonas Villanueva in the recent PBA Draft.

The 6-foot-4 Fonacier was a big steal, who was acquired via a trade with Red Bull, which gave up guards Brandon Cablay and Francis Adriano. In Magnolia, Fonacier rejoins former Ateneo teammates Enrico Villanueva, Wesley Gonzales and LA Tenorio.

Villanueva, a crafty former Far Eastern University guard with a good perimeter shooting, was drafted ninth by the team as a third option at the point guard spot behind veteran Olsen Racela and Tenorio.

Lucky

“Jonas will definitely learn a lot from Olsen. He’s lucky that Olsen is still playing as he will have a chance to develop his skills under the guidance of one of the best point guards in the league,” Tanquingcen said.

The 25-year-old Eman was the second overall pick in this year’s draft and the Beverage Masters will be needing more of him inside the paint since veteran big man Dorian Pena is out for most of the conference owing to an injury.

“I see a lot of potential in him,” said Tanquingcen of the 6-foot-10, wide-bodied ex-Mindanao State University star.

“He’s a big guy with good moves.”

Tanquingcen expects their three new players to blend well with the core of Danny Ildefonso, Lordy Tugade and Villanueva with Chris Calaguio and Gonzales, who both had impressive performances in the last Fiesta Cup, and a more settled Villanueva.

The most welcomed update for the team is the return of Seigle and Hontiveros, the key players who were not around last conference as they were serving time with the RP men’s basketball squad.

The Beverage Masters finished runner up to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in last year’s Philippine Cup, a stint that saw them bungle what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series.

With a formidable cast, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if they end up completing their unfinished job last season. (PBA Media Bureau)