PBA teams begin buildup

Practically all the teams have completed their lineup and are now ready to go full blast in preparation for the 2003 PBA wars starting Feb. 23 – moved from its original schedule Feb. 16.

Latest players to get contracts were Romel Adducul, Bal David and Banjo Calpito at Ginebra, John Ferriols at FedEx, Harvey Carey and Jimmy Alapag at Talk N Text and Rodney Santos at Purefoods.

Adducul, the No. 2 pick in the recent draft, entered into a contract-agreement with Ginebra as the two parties agreed on a four-year deal reportedly worth around P10 million.

Though not considered a rookie being a former MBA player, Adducul agreed to accept P150,000 a month this year. He’ll get significant increases in the next three years, ending with a maximum pay of P350,000 in 2006.

David and Calpito entered into two-year deals with Ginebra. David reportedly got less from his previous pact because of the new salary cap scheme.

Carey and Alapag both signed a three-year contract with the Pangilinan franchise late Wednesday night. Each deal is reportedly worth around P7 million.

Santos, released to the free agent pool after a six-year stint with Alaska, found himself back to Purefoods as he got a two-year contract with the Hotdogs. He also agreed to a pay cut.

Shell coach Perry Ronquillo believed amateur draftees Eddie Laure, Adonis Sta. Maria and Ronald Tubid would sign their contracts anytime this week.

Sources said Sta. Maria, the No. 3 pick in the second round, was offered P5.4 million in three years. Laure, the No. 3 pick overall, should be offered much more and Tubid, the No. 6 pick in the second round, a little less.

At San Miguel, Marlon Legaspi was reportedly offered a P2.6-million two-year pact.

Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado said he had reached hand-shake deals with amateur draftee Leo Bat-og and free agents Jason Webb, Wilmer Ong and Allan Yu. — Nelson Beltran