|
By Joel Orellana Reporter
STA. LUCIA Realty parades a new
coach when it collides with Air21 in the opener of the Talk ‘N
Text-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference Wednesday
at the Araneta Coliseum.
Teoderico “Boyet” Fernandez,
a former PBA guard, was tapped to be the Realtors’ eight coach
since joining the league in 1993, replacing Alfrancis Chua who was
elevated as the team’s consultant.
“It’s a big challenge for me.
But everyone in the team is ready to face the challenge,” said
Fernandez who made a last-minute import replacement in time for
their 4:35 p.m. encounter with the Express.
The management decided to replace
Kris Smith of Mansfield University and bring in 6’3 Rock Anthony
Winston, the smallest among the current crops of imports.
“He [Winston] is doing well in
practice. I just hope that he’ll also do that in the game for us
to be competitive,” Fernandez added.
Actually, Sta. Lucia does not
need a taller reinforcement with 6’9 Marlou Aquino and 6’6
Dennis Espino back in shape and will be supported by a pair of 6’5
rookies in Kelly Williams and Mark Isip.
Air21 is bringing back Shawn
Daniels for the tournament though coach Bo Perasol lost Ranidel de
Ocampo to the national team. The team also signed Jimwell Torion to
boost its backcourt.
“We still like our chances even
though Ranidel is with the national team. But the other players have
to step up and it’s a good thing that we were able to bring back
Shawn who is already familiar with our system,” said Perasol.
In the main game, Talk ‘N Text
begins in what could be a difficult campaign for the franchise after
losing its three star players in Asi Taulava, Jimmy Alapag and
Renren Ritualo to RP 5.
The Phone Pals face the
tournament favorite Alaska at 7:20 in the evening.
“I lost my three key players. I
just hope that the others would step up otherwise we will really
struggle in this conference,” said Pumaren who is banking on JJ
Sullinger in the tournament.
The 6’5 Sullinger has the most
impressive credentials among the imports, having stints with Ohio
State and Arkansas.
He will be pitted against Rosell
Ellis, a balik-import who suited up for Coca-Cola and Barangay
Ginebra. Ellis will banner the campaign of the Aces who also lost a
key player in Tony de la Cruz to the national team.
|
