Abanilla replaces Alas as Hapee coach in PBL

MANILA, Philippines – College of Saint Benilde coach Gee Abanilla will be tasked to handle Hapee Toothpaste in the coming Philippine Basketball League (PBL) season, according to Hapee team manager Bernard Yang Friday. Abanilla, who is also assistant to Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), will replace Louie Alas as the Teeth Sparklers’ bench tactician. Incidentally, Abanilla will handle a Hapee that will be bannered by members of reigning UAAP champion Ateneo Blue Eagles. The Benilde Blazers, whom Abanilla coaches in the NCAA, is under the De La Salle University system. "The challenge now is how fast they can work as a team since a lot of new faces are on our side," Yang said. "But we’re confident we will be there giving the other teams a good fight." UAAP Season 71 Most Valuable Player Rabeh al-Hussaini and final’s MVP Nonoy Baclao will join Hapee old reliables Jervy Cruz, Dino Daa, and Borgie Hermida when the new PBL season opens next month. With a new nucleus, Hapee will again be a force to reckon with and will be there again challenging the dominance of Harbour Centre, which has employed the services of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. The FEU team – led by Reil Cervantes, Benedict Fernandez, Mark Barroca, Jens Knuttel, and Aldrech Ramos – will join Rico Maierhoffer, Dylan Ababou, and Edwin Asoro, all leftovers of Harbour Centre’s title winning squad. – GMANews.TV