Kutitap, Blu loom as main rivals

With Welcoat on leave, Kutitap Toothpaste and Blu Sun Power loom as Shark’s toughest title rivals when the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup unreels Wednesday, at the Makati Coliseum.

Kutitap, which wound up third last conference, further beefed up its frontcourt with the addition of 6’6" James Razon as back up to 6’5" Alwin Espiritu and Allan Salangsang.

The Cecilio Pedro-owned franchise also signed up Francis Gerald Jones, Cesar Catli and 6’3" rookie guard Christian Luanzon to strengthen its firepower behind the core of mainstays Ryan Dy, Niño Gelig, Cyrus Baguio, Francis Mercado and Mark Saquilayan.

Completing the team are Glenn Yuson, JB Sison, Jaymar Rivera and Rodel Mallari.

"Hopefully, it will be a better season for us as we look forward to surpassing our feat last conference with these reinforcements," said Kutitap coach Coy Banal.

"It’s almost an ideal team; at least we now have the talents to match up with the top teams. All we need now is a little more time to jell and for the rookies to mature to pull us through at least in the Final Four," he added.

"Mr. Pedro was satisfied that we achieved our best finish since the Lamoiyan Corporation got back to the PBL scene in 1998. Hopefully with the build-up we had during the off-season, the team could make it to the finals this time," said Kutitap team manager Bernard Yang.

Blu Sun Power also aims to bounce back from a dismal finish last conference as team owner Dioceldo Sy, also the PBL chairman, tapped the services of Leo Isaac as new head coach.

And if Isaac’s title clinch of the PBL CBF Partnership Cup in Cebu is to be the gauge, the Detergent Kings also pose a big threat to the crown.

Lou Gatumbato showed he could fill in the shoes of Egay Billiones as he delivered the crucial blows that keyed Blu’s victory in partnership with John Prior and veteran Rey Mendez.

Fil-Am Francis Machica, Jacques Gottenbos and Aries Dimaunahan will provide the firepower together with holdovers Eric de la Questa, Tristan Codamon, Arnold Calo and Marlon Legaspi.

Completing the line-up are Mel Latoreno, Abraham Santos, Micko Roldan and Arnel Mañalac.

"We will need to jell. But I’m happy that everybody’s giving his best even during the practices. The title quest will be tough since every other PBL team had a considered build-up during the off-season. But I believe this team has good chances of making it at least into the semifinals," said Isaac, who steered Ana Freezers to its second crown in 1998.