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BK parades Aguilar vs Purefoods in opener
By Nelson Beltran, The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - With his problem with Burger King resolved, top draft pick Japeth Aguilar makes his pro debut, suiting up
with the Whoppers as they slug it out with the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the opener of the 35th PBA season at the
Araneta Coliseum today.
Aguilar joined the Whoppers in a special practice at the Reyes Gym yesterday morning in preparation for the season opener
that will also showcase the debut of second draft pick Rico Maierhofer with Purefoods and the return of Marc Pingris and Paul
Artadi in the Giants’ fold.
The match is set at 6:30 p.m. succeeding the opening ceremonies presented by Coca-Cola and featuring Hall of Famers
Robert Jaworski, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar and Manny Paner as special guests.
“He (Aguilar) had his first practice with us and he’s okay. He easily picked up our patterns since he’s not a total stranger in my
system,” said BK coach Yeng Guiao.
“We’ll see tomorrow (today). We were ready to play Purefoods without him. We’ll use him as long as he can help. If he can help
even with just one practice, then it’s good. We’re hoping for positive result,” Guiao added.
The BK mentor considers Purefoods among the teams to beat in the KFC Philippine Cup along with San Miguel Beer, Talk n
Text and Alaska Milk.
“Purefoods is one of the teams that had the best buildup during the off-season. They will be among the leading contenders. I’m
sure they want to prove their worth right in the opening game,” said Guiao.
“We are excited to play our first game. We’ll get to see whether our off-season wheeling and dealing made our roster more
exciting and competitive,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
“I’m excited to see Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi wear their Purefoods uniforms once again. It will also a great opportunity for
Rafi Reavis, Rico Mairhofer and Chris Timberlake to slowly fit in our system and be an integral part of our rotation,” Gregorio
added.
Completing the Purefoods roster are holdovers James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Peter June Simon, Niño Canaleta, Romel
Adducul, Jonathan Fernandez, Roger Yap, Don Allado and Jondan Salvador.
BK had its own buildup, netting the services of Chico Lanete, Ronjay Buenafe, Orlando Daroya, Ronnie Matias and Richard Yee.
Gone is former star Arwind Santos, leaving Egay Billones, Erick Rodriguez, Aaron Aban, Wynne Arboleda, Gary David, Mark Yee,
Beau Belga, Carlo Sharma and JR Quinahan as remnants of the team which placed seventh in the last all-Filipino tourney.
Purefood finished eighth in that tourney topped by Talk n Text.
The Tropang Texters open their title-retention campaign versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the
same venue.
On the same day, Smart Gilas plays Burger King as it starts its stint as guest team in the tourney. Making up the Smart Gilas
team are Chris Tiu, Mark Barocca, JV Casio, RJ Jazul, Dylan Ababou, JR Cawaling, Rey Guevarra, Ryan Buenafe, Mac
Baracael, Aldrech Ramos, Jason Ballesteros, Magi Sison, Greg Slaughter, Rabeh Al Hussaini, Junmar Fajardo, Paul Lee and
import CJ Giles.
The team is not in contention for the championship but the results of its games will reflect on the standings of its opponents.
The 10 regular teams play double-round robin in the eliminations with the top two automatically making the semis, the next
three gaining outright quarterfinals passage and the next four figuring in a wild card battle for the last quarters seat. Only one
team is eliminated after the prelims.
It will be an early rematch of the Fiesta Conference title protagonists – San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra – on
Wednesday also at the Big Dome. The curtain-raiser pits Alaska against Barako Bull.
By Nelson Beltran, The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - With his problem with Burger King resolved, top draft pick Japeth Aguilar makes his pro debut, suiting up
with the Whoppers as they slug it out with the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the opener of the 35th PBA season at the
Araneta Coliseum today.
Aguilar joined the Whoppers in a special practice at the Reyes Gym yesterday morning in preparation for the season opener
that will also showcase the debut of second draft pick Rico Maierhofer with Purefoods and the return of Marc Pingris and Paul
Artadi in the Giants’ fold.
The match is set at 6:30 p.m. succeeding the opening ceremonies presented by Coca-Cola and featuring Hall of Famers
Robert Jaworski, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar and Manny Paner as special guests.
“He (Aguilar) had his first practice with us and he’s okay. He easily picked up our patterns since he’s not a total stranger in my
system,” said BK coach Yeng Guiao.
“We’ll see tomorrow (today). We were ready to play Purefoods without him. We’ll use him as long as he can help. If he can help
even with just one practice, then it’s good. We’re hoping for positive result,” Guiao added.
The BK mentor considers Purefoods among the teams to beat in the KFC Philippine Cup along with San Miguel Beer, Talk n
Text and Alaska Milk.
“Purefoods is one of the teams that had the best buildup during the off-season. They will be among the leading contenders. I’m
sure they want to prove their worth right in the opening game,” said Guiao.
“We are excited to play our first game. We’ll get to see whether our off-season wheeling and dealing made our roster more
exciting and competitive,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.
“I’m excited to see Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi wear their Purefoods uniforms once again. It will also a great opportunity for
Rafi Reavis, Rico Mairhofer and Chris Timberlake to slowly fit in our system and be an integral part of our rotation,” Gregorio
added.
Completing the Purefoods roster are holdovers James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Peter June Simon, Niño Canaleta, Romel
Adducul, Jonathan Fernandez, Roger Yap, Don Allado and Jondan Salvador.
BK had its own buildup, netting the services of Chico Lanete, Ronjay Buenafe, Orlando Daroya, Ronnie Matias and Richard Yee.
Gone is former star Arwind Santos, leaving Egay Billones, Erick Rodriguez, Aaron Aban, Wynne Arboleda, Gary David, Mark Yee,
Beau Belga, Carlo Sharma and JR Quinahan as remnants of the team which placed seventh in the last all-Filipino tourney.
Purefood finished eighth in that tourney topped by Talk n Text.
The Tropang Texters open their title-retention campaign versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the
same venue.
On the same day, Smart Gilas plays Burger King as it starts its stint as guest team in the tourney. Making up the Smart Gilas
team are Chris Tiu, Mark Barocca, JV Casio, RJ Jazul, Dylan Ababou, JR Cawaling, Rey Guevarra, Ryan Buenafe, Mac
Baracael, Aldrech Ramos, Jason Ballesteros, Magi Sison, Greg Slaughter, Rabeh Al Hussaini, Junmar Fajardo, Paul Lee and
import CJ Giles.
The team is not in contention for the championship but the results of its games will reflect on the standings of its opponents.
The 10 regular teams play double-round robin in the eliminations with the top two automatically making the semis, the next
three gaining outright quarterfinals passage and the next four figuring in a wild card battle for the last quarters seat. Only one
team is eliminated after the prelims.
It will be an early rematch of the Fiesta Conference title protagonists – San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra – on
Wednesday also at the Big Dome. The curtain-raiser pits Alaska against Barako Bull.