Magnolia Masters to carry on SMB winning tradition

From San Miguel Beermen to Magnolia Beverage Masters.

SMC’s flagship ball club carries a new name in the coming season, hoping to draw younger set of fans and renew its bond with loyal followers as it seeks to keep its winning tradition in the country’s premier pro league.

“We believe that our Magnolia beverages will benefit from the enormous exposure from the PBA just like San Miguel Beer and other SMC premium brands,” said San Miguel Beverages Inc. (SMBI) president Roberto Huang in a simple ceremony held at the SMC Complex in Mandaluyong yesterday.

SMBI general manager for domestic operation Bernie Marquez, team manager Hector Calma, head coach Bethune Tanquingcen and the players also graced the occasion and expressed their excitement over the coming season where they’re billed as among the top favorites for the championship.

“We expect the Magnolia Beverage Masters to carry on the winning tradition of the San Miguel Beer team. And being the SMC’s flag carrier, we hope it delivers the message to our consumers that SMC will always produce good quality and affordable products for the years to come,” said Marquez.

Veteran mainstays Olsen Racela and Danny Seigle said they want to win the championship and, as among the favorites, they’re not afraid to face pressures and challenges.

Tanquingcen’s squad has become top pick in the coming season as they kept the core of their 2006-07 team reinforced by the return of national players Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros and the arrival of new recruits Larry Fonacier, Samigue Eman and Jonas Villanueva.

“I can’t deny that we’ve got a team loaded with talents. We’re strong on paper but you can’t win the championship on paper alone. We have to translate that strength on the playing court,” said Tanquingcen, cautioning everybody not to be overconfident. The youthful mentor is looking to develop the team into a complete package with a solid inside game boosted by good outside shooting, saying tough challenges await them in the season starting Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Tanquingcen considers Talk n Text, Alaska Milk, Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull as their tough rivals.

“Talk n Text and Alaska will be up there this season. Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull are teams that you can’t count out in any season,” said Tanquingcen, now the team’s official head coach with Chot Reyes given time to rest following his stint with the RP team.

`The team still has the core of Racela, Seigle, Ildefonso, Dondon Hontiveros, Enrico Villanueva, LA Tenorio, Chris Calaguio, Lordy Tugade, Willie Wilson and Gabby Espinas.