Isip, Juntilla tapped to beef up B-Boys

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco Bolts, determined to come up with a solid finish in its PBA debut, is beefing up its roster in an effort to be more competitive in time for the Philippine Cup playoffs.

If plans don’t miscarry, the B-Boys will already have Mark Isip and Reed Juntilla in their fold as they play the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the close of the elimination round tomorrow.

At press time, Meralco was working out a deal to get Isip and Juntilla from Barako Bull.

The two teams had agreed on a swap sending Isip and Juntilla to the Meralco in exchange for Ford Arao, Kazim Mirza and Pong Escobal. Commissioner Chito Salud, however, nixed the deal, finding it uneven.

Meralco and Barako Bull were in the process of refining the transaction last night.

The Energy Boosters have taken the exit in the tourney, finishing with a 3-11 win-loss card in the elims.

The B-Boys have made the playoffs but still need a push for a better seeding.

Meralco must beat Rain or Shine to avoid any complication and get outright seat in the Top Six.

A loss may relegate Meralco to seventh or eighth which will mean a quarterfinal match-up with either of the top two which carry a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarters.

Alaska Milk plays also-ran Powerade in the other game tomorrow with the Aces also out to clinch a seat in the Top Six.

Talk n Text and San Miguel Beer have secured the top two seats and thus will enjoy twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.

Barangay Ginebra and B-MEG Derby Ace have clinched slots in the Top Six, leaving Alaska Milk, Meralco, Air21 and Rain or Shine in a battle to avoid No. 7 and No. 8.

Teams ranked No. 3 to No. 6 figure in a pair of best-of-three quarterfinal showdowns.

Meanwhile, PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial said they’ll start entertaining tomorrow applications for the PBA Referees Academy.

The academy will offer a four-month officiating course, geared at improving and strengthening the PBA pool of refs.

Former PBA technical chief Perry Martinez and former referee Celso Rivera will be the facilitators.

For inquiries, visit the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City.