MANILA, Philippines - Kinuha ng San Miguel Beer, igigiya ng bagong coach na si Leo Austria, si free agent Bitoy Omolon ngunit naghahanap pa ng dalawang players para makumpleto ang kanilang koponan at wakasan ang three-year title drought sa darating na 40th PBA season.
“Omolon has been signed up as our 13th man. We’re looking for two more, and we’re after guys who can really help and not just fill up our lineup,” sabi ni Austria.
“We’re waiting for the players still playing in the NCAA. They might not be signed up (by the teams who picked them up in the PBA rookie draft). The Semerad twins, Prince Caperal and John Pinto – we’re interested on these guys,” dagdag pa nito.
Nagpakita si veteran free agent Don Allado sa dalawang practice sessions ng San Miguel, habang umaasa rin si rookie hopeful Dexter Maiquez na makakapasok sa SMB roster.
“We’ve yet to make a decision on them,” ani Austria, sasandigan sina MVP winners June Mar Fajardo at Arwind Santos kasama sina Sol Mercado, Chris Lutz, Marcio Lassiter, Ronald Tubid, Rico Maierhofer at Doug Kramer.
Sa kabila ng malakas nilang line-up ay wala pang nakakamit na korona ang San Miguel sa nakaraang tatlong taon sa ilalim nina coaches Olsen Racela, Rajko Toroman at Gie Abanilla at ang tambalan nina Biboy Ravanes at Todd Purves.
Sa ilalim ni Austria, isang champion coach sa Asean Basketball League, maglalaro ang Beermen sa isang methodical, half-court set para mapakinabangan sina Fajardo, Santos, Lassiter, Lutz at Tubid.
Sa nakaraang season ay tumapos ang Beermen na ikaapat sa Philippine Cup, pang-lima sa Commissioner’s Cup at sa Governors Cup. (NBeltran)