Beermen return stronger as Beverage Masters

The San Miguel Beermen, now the Magnolia Beverage Masters, managed to get to the semifinals of the 2006 PBA Fiesta Cup, despite a new coach and the absence of two of its top players. By the start of this season, they have obviously adjusted to the system of coach Siot Tanquingcen, and they're expected to give the other teams tough competition Рespecially now that Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros have come back on the team's regular rotation. In fact, the Beverage Masters won this season's opening game on October 14, defeating the Air 21 Express, 121-112. "We're still at the conditioning stage," Tanquingcen, who took over the reins from Chot Reyes last conference, said days before the opening. The soft-spoken former University of Santo Tomas stalwart was credited as the main architect of Barangay Ginebra's back-to-back title runs in 2004 and 2005. "But we see the potential of this team as we have strengthened our back court and wing spots," Tanquingcen said. He's referring to the off-season acquisitions РLarry Fonacier, the 2005 Rookie of the Year, from Red Bull, and freshmen Samigue Eman and Jonas Villanueva from the recent PBA draft. The 6-foot-4 Fonacier was a big steal acquired via a trade with Red Bull that saw the Beverage Masters let go of guards Brandon Cablay and Francis Adriano. In Magnolia, he rejoins former Ateneo teammates Enrico Villanueva, Wesley Gonzales, and LA Tenorio. Jonas Villanueva, a crafty former Far Eastern University guard with good perimeter shooting skills, was drafted ninth overall by the team as a third option in the point guard spot behind veteran Olsen Racela and Tenorio. "Jonas will definitely learn a lot from Olsen," Tanquingcen said. "He's lucky that Olsen is still playing as he will have a chance to develop his skills under the guidance of one of the best point guards in the league." The 25-year-old Eman, a 6-foot-10 wide-bodied star of the Mindanao State University, was the second overall draft pick. The Beverage Masters will be needing more of him inside the paint, especially with veteran big man Dorian Pe̱a out for most of the conference owing to an injury. "I see a lot of potential in him," Tanquingcen said. "He's a big guy with good moves." Tanquingcen expects their three new players to blend well with a core that will have a healthy Danny Ildefonso and Lordy Tugade, the ever improving Chris Calaguio and Gonzales, both of whom shown brightly in the last Fiesta Cup, and a more settled Villanueva. Most welcome of course, for the team is the return of Seigle and Hontiveros, key players who were not around the entire last conference owing to their stint with the RP men's basketball squad. The Beverage Masters finished runner up to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in last year's Philippine Cup, a stint that saw them bungling what appeared to be a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven title series. But returning with an even more formidable cast this time, it wouldn't be a big surprise if they end up completing their unfinished job a season ago. Gone: Francis Adriano, Brandon Cablay Gained: Larry Fonacier, Samigue Eman, Jonas Villanueva Stayed: Danny Ildefonso, Enrico Villanueva, Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Seigle, Lordy Tugade, Willy Wilson, Gabby Espinas, LA Tenorio, Wesley Gonzales, Olsen Racela, Chris Calaguio, Dorian Pe̱a

- GMANews.TV