Red Bull beefs up roster, taps Espinas

Red Bull beefed up its frontline rotation yesterday as it acquired former NCAA MVP Gabby Espinas from Air21 in exchange for the Bulls’ first round pick in 2009.

Coach Yeng Guiao said Espinas, at 6-foot-4, can match up with the power forwards of other teams with his inside skills.

“We’re almost complete with our acquisition of Espinas and the signing of Larry Rodriguez and Jeff Chan. The two remaining slots are being contested by Topex Robinson, Kiko Adriano, Paolo Hubalde and Al Magpayo,” said Guiao.

Dropped from the Red Bull roster were Mark Andaya and Paolo Bugia.

Air21 gave up Espinas after coming to terms with draftees Mark Borboran and Pocholo Villanueva to complete its 12-man roster. The Bert Lina franchise has earlier released Ervin Sotto to Alaska Milk.

Air21 governor and team manager Lito Alvarez said they’re signing up Borboran to a three-year pact and Villanueva to a two-year contract.

Several teams are after Red Bull’s Rich Alvarez and Air21’s JC Intal but the management of both ballclubs said they have no intention of trading the two players.

Meanwhile, three draftees in Pong Escobal, Mark Cuevas and Christian Cabatu became unrestricted free agents after being left unsigned following the required five-day signing period by the league.

In the case of Escobal, Talk n Text may be awaiting the end of the NCAA season to sign up the crack San Beda point guard.

Cuevas was picked by Red Bull at No. 18 and Cabatu was drafted at No. 20 by Sta. Lucia.

The rest of the draftees have either signed a UPC (uniform player’s contract) or a tender offer. The first players given UPC are Fil-foreign players Gabe Norwood, Jarred Dillinger, Rob Reyes and Solomon Mercado, all guaranteed of P8.7 million over three years.    – Nelson Beltran