(From Business Mirror)
SAN MIGUEL Beer is keeping Alex Cabagnot, for the meantime.
The player’s agent told the BusinessMirror on Thursday that the Beermen are keen on giving Cabagnot the opportunity to fit into the system of coach Siot Tanquingcen in the coming Fiesta Conference of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Player agent Danny Espiritu confirmed reports the 27-year-old lefty guard is headed to Barangay Ginebra, but the plan was shelved by the San Miguel coaching staff.
“The original plan was for Alex to be shipped to Ginebra pero walang mahanap na conduit,” said Espiritu.
“Pero ngayon, iba na ang plano ng San Miguel sa kanya. Coach Siot talked to him and said stay muna siya and they will see kung mag-click siya sa system ng team,” Espiritu added.
Cabagnot was traded to the Beermen for Mike Cortez in a one-on-one deal with Air21. San Miguel will be his fourth team in five seasons in the league. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 Rookie Draft but, after playing two seasons, Cabagnot was dealt to Coca-Cola where he stayed for two seasons before he was traded to Air21 (formerly Burger King) in the latter part of the current season.
Ginebra is in dire need of a healthy point guard. Jayjay Helterbrand, Celino Cruz and Johnny Abarrientos were in and out of the Kings’ roster because of injuries.
But the lack of a willing conduit has delayed the plan to move the six-foot-one guard out of University of Hawaii-Hilo to the Kings in time for the season-ending conference.
“So for the meantime, focus muna siya sa San Miguel and coach Siot told him na titingnan pa niya kung magiging effective ba siya sa team together with Jonas [Villanueva] and Denok [Miranda],” said Espiritu.
“Gusto kasi i-maximize ni Siot ’yung talent ng tatlong point guards and if they will find out na hindi puwede, they will still pursue the trade,” he added.
Meanwhile, the BusinessMirror learned that Barako Bull is set to announce Junel Baculi’s appointment as the team’s new head coach for the coming Fiesta Cup. Baculi will replace Leo Isaac, who will now act as the team consultant. Joining Baculi on the bench are Louie Alas, Magnum Membrere and Raymond Celis.
But when asked to confirm the report, Baculi said “it’s still a rumor and the formal announcement should come from the Barako Bull management.”
Baculi’s promotion as head coach is not surprising following Harbour Centre’s infusion of funds to the Barako Bull. Baculi coached Harbour Centre to numerous titles in the Philippine Basketball League.
Alas is the long-time Letran coach in the National Collegiate Athletic Association that led the Philippine Patriots to the crown in the first Asean Basketball League. Harbour Centre big boss Mikee Romero is a coowner of the Patriots with Tonyboy Cojuangco.
Philippine Patriots members Jerwin Gaco, Al Vergara and Rob Wainrwright were also absorbed by Barako Bull.
SAN MIGUEL Beer is keeping Alex Cabagnot, for the meantime.
The player’s agent told the BusinessMirror on Thursday that the Beermen are keen on giving Cabagnot the opportunity to fit into the system of coach Siot Tanquingcen in the coming Fiesta Conference of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Player agent Danny Espiritu confirmed reports the 27-year-old lefty guard is headed to Barangay Ginebra, but the plan was shelved by the San Miguel coaching staff.
“The original plan was for Alex to be shipped to Ginebra pero walang mahanap na conduit,” said Espiritu.
“Pero ngayon, iba na ang plano ng San Miguel sa kanya. Coach Siot talked to him and said stay muna siya and they will see kung mag-click siya sa system ng team,” Espiritu added.
Cabagnot was traded to the Beermen for Mike Cortez in a one-on-one deal with Air21. San Miguel will be his fourth team in five seasons in the league. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 Rookie Draft but, after playing two seasons, Cabagnot was dealt to Coca-Cola where he stayed for two seasons before he was traded to Air21 (formerly Burger King) in the latter part of the current season.
Ginebra is in dire need of a healthy point guard. Jayjay Helterbrand, Celino Cruz and Johnny Abarrientos were in and out of the Kings’ roster because of injuries.
But the lack of a willing conduit has delayed the plan to move the six-foot-one guard out of University of Hawaii-Hilo to the Kings in time for the season-ending conference.
“So for the meantime, focus muna siya sa San Miguel and coach Siot told him na titingnan pa niya kung magiging effective ba siya sa team together with Jonas [Villanueva] and Denok [Miranda],” said Espiritu.
“Gusto kasi i-maximize ni Siot ’yung talent ng tatlong point guards and if they will find out na hindi puwede, they will still pursue the trade,” he added.
Meanwhile, the BusinessMirror learned that Barako Bull is set to announce Junel Baculi’s appointment as the team’s new head coach for the coming Fiesta Cup. Baculi will replace Leo Isaac, who will now act as the team consultant. Joining Baculi on the bench are Louie Alas, Magnum Membrere and Raymond Celis.
But when asked to confirm the report, Baculi said “it’s still a rumor and the formal announcement should come from the Barako Bull management.”
Baculi’s promotion as head coach is not surprising following Harbour Centre’s infusion of funds to the Barako Bull. Baculi coached Harbour Centre to numerous titles in the Philippine Basketball League.
Alas is the long-time Letran coach in the National Collegiate Athletic Association that led the Philippine Patriots to the crown in the first Asean Basketball League. Harbour Centre big boss Mikee Romero is a coowner of the Patriots with Tonyboy Cojuangco.
Philippine Patriots members Jerwin Gaco, Al Vergara and Rob Wainrwright were also absorbed by Barako Bull.
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