Welcoat, Montaña, Fash start buildup

Welcoat Paints and Montaña Pawnshop shored up their respective rosters with key acquisitions recently even as reigning Platinum Cup champion Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent has started scouting players to fill the void left by its Ateneo players.

The Paint Masters picked up Lou Gatumbato, who was released by Blustar Detergent two weeks ago, from the free agency while the Jewels hooked up with 6-foot-5 center Alwyn Espiritu, whose contract with Sunkist-University of Santo Tomas has expired.

Gatumbato, who applied in this year’s PBA rookie draft but was never drafted, is known for his lightning-quick moves and his talent would surely boost the four-time titlist’s bid of regaining glory following a 2-3 loss to Fash in a thriller of a title series last month.

"His (Gatumbato) entry will be crucial in our title bid. We hope he can take up the slot left by Paul Artadi and Mac Cuan," Welcoat coach Leo Austria told The STAR. Artadi and Cuan are now with Purefoods Hotdog and Sta. Lucia Realty, respectively.

Gatumbato is the third player picked up by Welcoat, the first two being Chester Tolomia and Marvin Ortiguerra, formerly of Barangay Ginebra and Fedex, respectively. There were reports that the Terry Que and Raymund Yu-owned franchise is also eyeing Jojo Manalo and Arnold Calo but the existing age limit of 26 years old and below bars it to do so.

Montaña, for its part, bested Blustar in a tug-of-war for Espiritu as it further strengthened its roster a week after acquiring several players from reigning national collegiate champion St. Francis of Assissi College, headed by the talented pair of Al Vergara and Lawrence Bonus.

The Liquid Power, on the other hand, are close to signing up 2003 NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Leomar Najorda and the sweet-shooting pair of Emerson Oreta and Mark Macapagal after Ateneo has decided to form a team of its own in the season-opening second Unity Cup tentatively set on March 20.

Fash manager Bernard Yang said they have started recruiting because of the departure of key players LA Tenorio, Larry Fonacier, Paolo Bugia and JC Intal, who will join a separate Ateneo team.

"Sabi nung isang boss namin, simulan ko nang maghanap ng players dahil tuloy na daw ang Ateneo sa balak nilang magpasok ng team sa PBL," said Yang, who is referring to Jack Huang, who owns Fash’s farm team in Cebu City Hapee Toothpaste.

Blustar, on the other hand, got Dondon Villamin, 6’3" point forward known for his guard skills after failing to woo American Alex Compton and Espiritu from Sunkist-UST.