PBL coaches pick Harbour Centre No. 1

By Cecilio Pedro
Philippine Star
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Focus will be on three-time champion Harbour Centre when the PBL V-Go Extreme Energy Drink Cup fires off on Saturday with a scheduled twinbill at The Arena in San Juan.

Coaches from four of the eight competing teams yesterday pointed to Harbour Centre, winner of the last three conferences, as the team to beat in the tournament lasting until December.

Out to give Harbour Centre a run for its money are San Mig Coffee, Toyota Balintawak, Pharex, Bacchus, Mail N More, Hapee Toothpaste and the RP Team to this year’s SEA Games.

The top PBL players have been pulled out of their mother teams to be with the RP team, which is hoping to keep the SEA Games crown in Thailand on Dec. 6 to 16.

But the absence of their top players doesn’t make Harbour Centre a lesser team.

“It’s interesting because the best players are with the RP Team. But Harbour is still a good team. Then there’s San Mig, Bacchus or Hapee,” said Toyota coach Arnel Vanguardia.

During the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue, San Mig Coffee assistant coach Chito Victolero also pointed to Harbour Centre, saying it has the “advantage” and the momentum going for it.

Harbour Centre, coached by George Gallent, will shoot for a fourth straight crown, a feat that was last achieved by Stag Pale Pilsen some years back.

Lawrence Chongson of Bacchus said while there’s more balance in the league this conference, all eyes will still be on Harbour Centre. Allan Gregorio of Mail N More shared the sentiment.

Meanwhile, industrialist-sportsman Cecilio Pedro, president of Lamoiyan Corp., maker of Hapee Toothpaste, was voted PBL chairman by acclamation during the Board of Governors’ meeting yesterday at Shangri-La Hotel in Pasig.

Pedro succeeded Toyota Balintawak’s Gil Angeles, who completed his one-year term of office.

“I’m happy with the trust and confidence of my fellow team owners and their representatives for choosing me as the season’s chairman,” said Pedro.

Mikee Romero, owner of Harbour Centre, was named vice chairman, while Ding Camua of new team Pharex was designated treasurer.