PBL set to move Heroes Cup opener

The 2005 season-ending Philippine Basketball League conference dubbed "The Heroes Cup" could be reset from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5 to give teams, particularly returnee Hapee Toothpaste and newcomer Far Eastern Insurance, more time to prepare.

Managers and representatives of the eight participating teams are set to meet today to discuss, and if possible, finalize the postponement.

"It’s possible," Butch Maniego, the league’s executive director, yesterday told The STAR. "We might discuss that possibility tomorrow (today) in the managers meeting."

The postponement would give newcomer Far Eastern Insurance and Hapee Toothpaste time to gel and at the same time tap the players they want to boost their respective rosters.

The Insurers will be coached by the youthful Bong dela Cruz while Junel Baculi will handle the Teeth Sparklers, back after a two-conference absence.

Hapee will be composed of the Philippine Christian University Dolphins, who finished second to the Letran Knights in this year’s NCAA cage season.

"We’re still in the process of getting the players we want and hopefully we could complete our line-up late this week," said Hapee manager Bernard Yang.

Yang said 2004 NCAA rookie MVP Gabby Espinas, Joel Solis, Rob Sanz and Jason Castro were recently released by Harbour Centre in line with the league’s adopt-a-school policy. Joining them in the team are Tirszian Amparado and Beau Belga.

Also making it to the Lamoiyan-owned franchise, winner of two PBL titles, were Mark Moreno and Aries Gloria from its farm team in Cebu, Joferson Gonzales from Mapua and Khiel Misa of Perpetual Help. — Joey Villar