Welcoat wants Adducul, talks with Ginebra

MACAU – Rommel Adducul could well be reunited with his former PBL mother club Welcoat Paints.

Joining the PBA in its coming 2006-07 season, Welcoat is now in hot pursuit of its former prized slotman around whom the team wants to build its lineup in its maiden voyage in the pro ranks.

The Asian Coating Inc. franchise is so keen on re-acquiring the services of the 6-foot-5 Cagayan native that it has dangled tempting offers to Barangay Ginebra for a possible trade deal.

Welcoat top honchos Raymund Yu and Terry Que cornered Barangay Ginebra board representative Robert Non for some discussions at an airport lounge on their way here yesterday.

The Welcoat officials, who are hosting the PBA board of governors’ three-day summit here, hope to settle their deal with Ginebra with regards to the services of Adducul before the Annual Rookie Draft set Sunday at the Market! Market! in Taguig.

Non said Welcoat’s offer looks okay but he’ll still discuss the matter with the Ginebra coaching staff led by Jong Uichico.

Welcoat is offering its first round pick next year in exchange for Adducul. With a shaky lineup, the Dragons could be cellar-dwellers in the 2006-07 season and may gain the No. 1 pick overall in 2007.

"The top pick prospects next year are Fil-Am Joe Devance and Rob Reyes. So it looks like Welcoat has a tempting offer to us," said Non."Sa akin okay na yan, but I’ll still consult my coaching staff."

"Sa amin na sana nila ibigay si Rommel. Kung sa ibang team baka makasakit pa si Rommel sa kanila. With us, there’s no harm done because we’re surely be the whipping boys," said Yu.

Welcoat’s rights for the No. 10 and No. 11 picks in the coming draft are the team’s other trade bait to Ginebra for Adducul. But this is not amenable to the Kings.

"Pinamigay na nga ni Jong yung draft picks niya this year eh," said Non, referring to the trade that had them giving away draft picks plus some players to get Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis and Rudy Hatfield from Coca-Cola in return.

Adducul, former MVP winner in the NCAA and the defunct MBA, has become dispensable at Ginebra following the arrival of Mamaril and Reavis. Apparently, also up for trade is 6-foot-9 slotman Andy Seigle.

Free agent Poch Juinio is another veteran center being seriously considered for the Welcoat squad to be handled by coach Leo Austria with Caloy Garcia and Bogs Adornado as his deputies.

Yu said Adducul’s poor free-throw shooting could well improve under the care of Adornado, the team’s shooting coach.

So far, Welcoat has recruited 10 players in Jay Sagad, JayR Reyes, Junjun Cabatu, Froilan Baguion, Jojo Tangkay, Gilbert Lao, Rob Wainwright, Denver Lopez, Adonis Sta. Maria and Nino Gelig.