Lucky 6 for San Miguel

MILAN – Six could be San Miguel Beer’s lucky number when the PBA opens its 45th season with the Philippine Cup on March 1. That’s because San Miguel is chasing a sixth straight Philippine Cup trophy and center June Mar Fajardo is in line for a sixth consecutive MVP award. San Miguel’s representative to the PBA Board of Governors Robert Non said he’s convinced Fajardo will be named MVP during the Leo Awards on season-opening night.

“June Mar deserves it,” said Non. “He was Best Player of the Conference in the Philippine Cup which we won. We also won the Commissioner’s Cup but we fell short in the Governors Cup. We could’ve done a Grand Slam. One incident at practice led to ending our dream. But we’ll try again. The Philippine Cup is the first conference and if you don’t win it, forget the Grand Slam. You start by winning the first conference then move forward. It won’t be easy winning the Philippine Cup this season. Every team has beefed up. But we’ll be ready.”

Non referred to the incident where blows were thrown during a heated practice last year. Apparently, Arwind Santos set a hard pick that sent import Dez Wells down on the hardcourt. Wells got up and raised his dukes. Santos also put up his fists. Neither, however, unleashed. The confrontation took an ugly turn when Ronald Tubid jumped in to strike Wells then Kelly Nabong entered the picture to punch Tubid. San Miguel management ended up replacing Wells with John Holland and suspending Santos, Tubid and Nabong. In a later move, Nabong was traded to NorthPort for Russel Escoto. The suspensions were in force when San Miguel lost to Ginebra, 100-97, in the quarterfinals clincher, ending the Beermen’s season without a Grand Slam.

From Manila, San Miguel coach Leo Austria sent word that the team welcomed seven players trying out for spots at the start of practice. Of the seven, four were rookies – 6-1 Travis Thompson of the University of Alaska, 6-5 Daniel de Guzman of Lyceum/UST, 6-0 Von Tambeling of Letran/PCU and 6-0 Wendell Comboy of FEU. From the free agent ranks, the aspirants were Bambam Gamalinda, Rey Guevarra and Gelo Alolino.

“Last Monday, Guevarra and Tambeling didn’t show up (at practice) and I understand Guevarra’s situation because he was traded by Phoenix to NorthPort,” said Austria. “I think Escoto is a good addition to our rotation for our frontline. Marcio (Lassiter), Chris (Ross) and Matt (Ganuelas-Rosser) will be back next week. As for June Mar, I’m expecting him to bag his sixth MVP.”

Non said the contracts of Yancy de Ocampo, Chico Lanete and Tubid expired last Dec. 31. Tubid hasn’t shown up for San Miguel practice and it’s not certain if he’ll try his luck with other teams. De Ocampo and Lanete may be re-signed as practice players. Lanete, 40, is in the PBA’s elite list of players over 40, joining Mark Caguioa, 40, Reynel Hugnatan, 41, Rafi Reavis, 42 and Asi Taulava who turns 47 on March 2.

“I think we can use a regular rotation of anywhere between eight to 12 players,” said Non. “June Mar and Mo (Tautuaa) can alternate at center. Arwind and Escoto can play three or four. Marcio and Von (Pessumal) are two or three. Alex (Cabagnot) plays two and Chris is our point guard. Terrence (Romeo) can play one or two. Then, we’ve got Louie (Vigil) who’ll come back to us after Alab, Paul (Zamar), Matt and Billy Mamaril. I’ve told Escoto to come early to practice to take extra shots and he’s been doing it. This season, we expect our rotation to be deeper.”