Tigers eye Bono or Holper to seal roster

MANILA, Philippines - Ken Bono, the burly former Adamson center-forward acquired by Burger King from San Miguel Beer in exchange for Arwind Santos, may end up with Coca-Cola.

The Tigers expressed interest on Bono even as they have recently signed up rookie draftee Francis Allera and veteran free agent Norman Gonzales.

The Whoppers, meanwhile, appear ready to part ways with the former UAAP MVP awardee since they have completed their 12-man lineup.

Meanwhile, the PBA Commissioner’s Office is now requiring player agents to accredit with the league.

PBA operations chief Rickie Santos said they’re to issue communications to the 10 ballclubs asking them not to entertain player agents without league accreditation.

Coca-Cola is in the finishing stage of its buildup, looking either at Bono and free agent Mike Holper to complete the team’s frontline cast.

The team has earlier beefed up its frontcourt by signing Allera to a two-year deal and Gonzales to a one-year pact.

Allera and Gonzales are teaming up with Asi Taulava, Larry Rodriguez and Ricky Calimag at the frontline with Nic Belasco and Mark Telan gone.

Belasco has been released to Talk and Text while Telan has been dealt to Rain or Shine.

Assistant team manager Gerard Francisco said they’re overloaded at the backcourt, thus, Ronjay Enrile, Cesar Catli, Aris Dimaunahan and Leo Avenido are likely to be relegated to the reserve list.

Francisco said they’re happy with their acquisition of rookie Chris Ross, a key addition in the backcourt that also features Alex Cabagnot, Marvin Cruz, Mark Macapagal, Rodney Santos, Dale Singson and RJ Rizada.

Cabagnot emerged last season as among the league’s finest point guards by leading in assists (5.3 a game) and steals (1.4), ranking No. 2 behind Kelly Williams in minutes (37.00) played and placing No. 3 behind Olsen Racela and Jimmy Alapag in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.6). The Fil-Am guard also averaged 10.8 points an outing.

Ross, the No. 3 pick in the recent Rookie Draft, and Cabagnot are likely to form a deadly backcourt combination for the Tigers in the coming PBA wars.

Francisco, however, said they’re still filling spots at their frontline.

Taulava led in rebounds last season and the Tigers placed fourth in team rankings with 51.0 an outing. No. 1 was Burger King (52.18), followed by San Miguel (52.11) and Rain or Shine (51.67.