MBA simmering

A month and a half before its formal opening, the Metropolitan Basketball Association is humming with activity, as teams are racing to put together a competitive line-up for the 2002 season, which opens on April 6. Three teams are returning after noticeable absences.

The first, bent on making a strong impact are the Pangasinan Waves, who are holding three days of tryouts at the Tanduay Gym beginning today at 1 p.m.

The Waves will be coached by Lawrence Cheongson, a former assistant and consultant of Tanduay Rhum in the PBA. The team is co-owned by original Pangasinan franchise holder Tim Orbos. Orbos has said that his team will possibly be backed by AMA Computer College. Years ago, AMA played one conference in the PBL and fielded Ali Peek as a raw starting center. If both Asia Brewery and AMA will support the Waves, then they will definitely have the resources to put together a very strong team.

Meanwhile, the Olongapo Volunteers, through Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, are close to coming to terms with Welcoat Paints head coach Junel Baculi, whom they last met with Saturday. Baculi steered the Paint Masters to an unprecedented four straight championships before the team filed for a leave of absence. Welcoat lost more than half of its team to the PBA Draft and MBA teams, most notably Yancy de Ocampo and Renren Ritualo to the FedEx Express. Baculi, who also coached the Philippines to multiple titles in the ABC Champions Cup, is set to sign a deal within the next week or two. The former player coached the Negros Slashers very briefly in 1998.

Cagayan de Oro is also returning to the MBA, but has decided to leave their name up to their kababayans. The former Amigos are launching a contest in CDO to name their team. In the MBA’s first season, the team carried the nickname Nuggets, which allegedly drew the ire of the NBA. Peter Naron returns after a stint with Cebu along with erstwhile Manila forward Dino Manuel.

The Cagayan franchise has reportedly recruited NCAA MVP Ernani Epondulan and PBL sixth man awardee Ariel Capus, as well as PBA draftees Ricky Calimag, Allan Yu and Derrick Bughao, and will be coached by former NCBA standout Vic Icasiano.

"Hopefully, we’ll be able to spring some surprises," Icasiano says.

The most turbulence seems to be swirling around the Negros Slashers. Although 1998 Most Valuable Player John Ferriols, Most Improved Player Reynel Hugnatan and injured forward Leo Bat-og still have live contracts, the fate of some other team members has yet to be decided. SEA Games team member Jomar Tierra has reportedly joined the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, and frontliner Egay Ignacio, the Pampanga Stars.

Newspaper reports in The Visayan Daily Star in Bacolod tell of the growing rift between head coach Robert Sison and team management. Each side is accusing the other of off-court impropriety. Sison claims that management conducted tryouts in Manila without his knowledge, while management is mulling over what to do with the fiery coach, citing certain extracurricular behavior they find inappropriate. Sison still has one year left in his pact with the Slashers.

Some of the players, notably team captain Johnedel Cardel, have been openly quoted in local papers as saying that they are even willing to play for less money simply for the right to continue staying in Negros. Cardel lives with his wife and daughter in Bacolod. Now, he and his other teammates will be scrambling to find spots on other MBA teams, unless they suddenly come to terms with their mother team.

Negros, incidentally, already has a sponsor in RCPI, leaving Cagayan de Oro as the lone team in the south still searching for a corporate backer.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga Stars have been quietly practicing and filling up their roster in Lubao and other parts of the large central Luzon province. Former Pampanga Dragons team captain and Batang Red Bull Thunder Ato Agustin is on the coaching staff.