Boise State standout Larry reinforces Purefoods in Fiesta Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Purefoods is looking to bounce back big-time in the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference by bringing in import Reggie Larry a month early before the league opens its season-ending tournament. Larry arrives Saturday from the US to reinforce the Giants’ campaign and rebound from a forgettable performance in the KFC Philippine Cup. Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said Larry, a 6-foot-6 swingman, will start practice for the Giants on Monday, possess the numbers that show how all-around a player he is. “I’ve seen his highlight reels and I hope that he’s as good as advertised," said Gregorio. “He’s very athletic and he can help us in the scoring department. He can make our roster look formidable because of the changes we made in our local line-up." Gregorio said he is hoping that the former standout at Boise State University in Idaho could propel the ball club into a superb showing in the season-ending tournament that formally starts on February 28 in Dumaguete City. Larry averaged 19.4 points and 9.2 rebounds in his senior year with the Broncos in 2007-08, and has a spectacular 43 percent shooting clip from three-point range. Purefoods smashed into a brick wall in the ongoing Philippine Cup. The Giants ended up eighth, much of their problem coming mainly from injuries to Peter June Simon and Roger Yap. But they are expected to rebound this time, having acquired three-time slam-dunk champion KG Canaleta and Don Allado from Burger King (formerly Air21) in exchange for Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo and Chico Lanete. Allado has yet to practice for the Giants, though. He is currently in the US and is expected to arrive next week. “I believe that with KG and Don around, they can strengthen our line-up," said Gregorio. “KG can play inside and out while Don is a deadly medium range shooter and he also has good post-up moves." “The direction of the team right now is that I have to make do with the lineup that I have and I hope this lineup will bring us back to the championship again." Gregorio personally chose Larry over Marquin Chandler, the former two-time Purefoods import who is still playing in the Korean Basketball League.– GMANews.TV