Tanduay sets revamp

Tanduay is undertaking a total overhaul, replacing the entire coaching staff and even its team manager with hopes of nailing a title in the third year of its return stint in the PBA.

The team management is signing in the next few days former Purefoods coach Derick Pumaren and his staff to take over Alfrancis Chua and Co.

Team manager David de Joya confirmed this, adding he himself was notified by the higher management of his imminent ouster to pave the way for the entry of a fresh team which will run the ballclub.

"The management wanted a fresh mandate and I know where they’re coming from, with me being also in the corporate world," said De Joya. "The management has told me my term of office will end by the end of the month. Then, they will evaluate the things I did."

The STAR contacted Chua but the young mentor gave no reaction, saying he’s still under contract with the ballclub.

Tanduay signed Chua to a five-year contract in 1999. The ballclub is expected to buy out the three remaining years in the deal upon the consummation of its transaction with Pumaren.

Earlier, the team management tried to deal Chua to other teams through a trade. They offered him to Shell and Purefoods but both teams declined.

Tanduay officials put him on the trade block although the Rhum Masters made a decent showing in the past season, finishing with a second best cumulative record after San Miguel despite the ouster of supposed Fil-Ams Sonny Alvarado and Erick Menk. — Nelson Beltran