Purefoods returns to PBA

MANILA, Philippines - After carving out a niche as the reigning PBA four-peat champion team, the San Mig Coffee Mixers give way to the old, famous brand Purefoods when the PBA Season 40 unwraps Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

James Yap and company will be called the Purefoods Star Hotshots as they chase a fifth straight championship, starting Wednesday against the Alaska Milk Aces at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The franchise joined the league in 1988 bearing the name the Purefoods Hotdogs and becoming an instant hit with a mix that included celebrated playing coach Ramon Fernandez, former MVP Freddie Hubalde and prized amateur recruits Jerry Codinera, Jojo Lastimosa, Glenn Capacio and Jack Tanuan.

The team glowed even more with the entry of Alvin Patrimonio, Nelson Asaytono and Dindo Pumaren later.

Under the Purefoods banner, Patrimonio and the gang collected seven titles, making the team one of the most prominent in the league in the 90s.

Legendary coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan copped the last of his 15 PBA titles and the very first for Purefoods in a come-from-behind 3-2 titular series win over Alaska Milk in the 1990 Third Conference.

Purefoods, under the late Ely Capacio, ruled the succeeding all-Filipino tourney. And then Chot Reyes, Eric Altamirano and Ryan Gregorio had their turns winning a championship with the brand that was already so famous and well loved then.

The team has carried under brands such as Coney Island, Oodles, B-Meg Derby Ace and San Mig Coffee, but will forever be most identified as Purefoods.

Its fans roared with approval as the management announced their return to Purefoods during their thanksgiving party at the Mega Tent in Libis, Quezon City yesterday.

“We have new products under the Purefoods Star brand. We’re promoting these,” said Rene Pardo, the team’s representative to the PBA board, on the name change.