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By Eddie G. Alinea Contributor
SAN MIGUEL BEER, the flagship
brand which the Danding Cojuangco PBA franchise has been using the
past 21 years, has been changed to Magnolia Beverage in what the
management termed as a “refreshing change.”
San Miguel Beverages Inc.
president Roberto Huang, SMBI general manager for domestic
operations Bernie Marquez and team manager Hector Calma announced
Wednesday that the team moniker Beermen that gifted the franchise
several pro-league championships, including a grand slam in 1989,
has also been changed to “Beverage Masters ”
The change, according to the
three officials, is aimed at drawing the younger set of basketball
fans in as well as renew its bond with the loyal followers that
supported the team from the time it absorbed the role as flagship in
1986 from Royal Tru Orange, the brand the franchise carried for 11
years since the birth of the PBA in 1975.
The move is designed to associate
San Miguel Beer’s wining tradition to Magnolia’s new products
Health Tea and Fruit Drinks along with Magnolia Pure Water.
“We believe that our Magnolia
beverage products will benefit from the enormous exposure that the
PBA gave to SN Miguel beer and other premium SMC brands,” Huang
said during a press conference held at the firm’s head office in
Mandaluyong City that was also attended by members of the team,
headed by coach Siot Tanquincen.
The Magnolia Beverage Masters are
composed of practically the same San Miguel Beermen that finished
runner up to sister team Barangay Ginebra in last season’s
Philippine Cup (All Filipino) and the import-laden Fiesta Cup.
The team, in fact, will only have
three new faces in Larry Fonacier, who was the object of a trade
with Red Bull, and former amateurs Jonas Villanueva and giant
Samigue Ecman.
Philippine team members Danny
Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros will lead the Masters campaign this
season along with old faces Danny Ildefonso, Olsen Racela, LA
Tenorio, Enrico Villanueva, Chris Calaguio, Lordy Tugade, Willie
Wilson, Wesley Gonzales and Gabby Espinas.
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