Finally, Ateneo lends its players to PBL's Hapee

MANILA, Philippines – Hapee Toothpaste management confirmed Sunday that Ateneo Blue Eagles officials have allowed their players to suit up for Hapee in the Philippine Basketball League. "I have been told by [team owner] Cecilio Pedro that he has already talked to the management of the Ateneo basketball team and its supporters and everything is now okay," Hapee team manager Bernard Yang said. That means nearly the entire core of the UAAP champion team led by tournament MVP Rabeh al-Hussaini will see action for the Complete Protectors in the PBL season that kicks off on October 25. Other Eagles joining al-Hussaini are UAAP Finals MVP Nonoy Baclao, Eric Salamat and Jai Reyes among others. Yang said Chris Tiu’s participation is still up in the air because of the Ateneo star's prior commitments. "Chris is a proven warrior and a winner. We would be happy if he can join the team, but if he's busy, we hope he can join us later in the tournament. ," Yang added. Al-Hussaini will join forces with another UAAP MVP center in Jervy Cruz, a tandem expected to be a Twin Towers combination for the first-time PBL coach Gee Abanilla. "It's going to be a deadly force. But right now, my concern now is to form the team as soon as possible because the tournament is just around the corner," Abanilla said. – GMANews.TV