Tanduay offers P150-M for Ildefonso, Aquino

Tanduay Rhum is reportedly bidding to acquire the services of marquee slotmen Marlou Aquino and Danny Ildefonso in its bid to build another powerhouse squad with the loss of ace players Sonny Alvarado and Eric Menk.

A reliable source said the Tanduay management has prepared an offer sheet for Aquino and is set to draw a separate one for Ildefonso.

Tanduay is reportedly willing to shell out more than P150 million to sign Aquino and Ildefonso to long-term contracts, similar to what NBA teams are giving players like Shaquille O’Neal, Alonzo Mourning and Kevin Garnett.

The source said Basic Holdings Inc. offers a P60-million contract for 10 years to 28-year-old Aquino. In the case of Ildefonso, who is four years younger than Aquino, Tanduay is reportedly open to a 15-year deal that may be worth around P100 million.

A Sta. Lucia insider said the team management and Aquino had agreed to have a P30-million deal for five years. However, they have yet to sign the agreement when the Tanduay offer came along.

Aquino was saying before that he’ll not hesitate signing a contract renewal with Sta. Lucia as long as he is assured teammate Dennis Espino’s stint with the team will also be extended. Espino’s contract is expiring this year.

Tanduay is in the process of rebuilding its lineup following the loss of Alvarado and Menk. With Rudy Hatfield going to Pop Cola in exchange for Noli Locsin, what remained in the Tanduay roster were Jayvee Gayoso, Derrick Bughao, Jason Webb, Zaldy Realubit, Jeffrey Cariaso, Dondon Hontiveros and Bobby Jose. Christopher Cantonjos is in the injured list.

Earlier, the team management revamped its coaching staff, taking in Derick Pumaren and his group to replace Alfrancis Chua and Co. Pumaren has said a major overhaul in the team composition will be effected.

Meanwhile, Purefoods has yet to announce who will take over the spot vacated by Pumaren in the team although it has signed up Ryan Gregorio to a two-year pact as assistant coach.

At Red Bull, Willie Miller showed up in practice yesterday at the RFM Sports Center in Mandaluyong, joining another draft hopeful John Arigo. Both are hoping to be picked No. 1 overall by the Photokina ballclub.