BARAKO Bull coach Junel Baculi got what he wished for -- acquire young players this PBA off season.
Now, the fiery Energy Boosters coach could only hope his rookie acquisitions would blend right away with his veterans as they prepare for the coming 38th season of the league.
Former San Beda center Dave Marcelo, along with point guards Lester Alvarez and Emman Monfort -- all second round draft choices of the team -- had been tendered offer sheets before the weekend.
“Isang positibo na nangyari sa amin ngayon eh mas bumata ang team. Ngayon mas kaya na naming sumabay sa takbuhan. At yung mga batang rookies namin ang magko-complement sa mga beterano namin,” Baculi told Spin.ph after the team's practice at the Reyes gym in Mandaluyong Saturday afternoon.
Baculi had been harping on getting younger guards considering that his backcourt tandem of two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller and journeyman Celino Cruz are both 35 years old.
With the addition of Alvarez and Monfort, the 15th and 16th pick, respectively in the last rookie draft, Baculi now has a pair of fresh legs who could run the break and rotate back in defense.
Even the entry of the 6-foot-5 Marcelo gives the Energy Boosters - dubbed the `Manong Brigade' last season - additional ceiling to help Doug Kramer, Leo Najorda, Danny Seigle and 6-foot-10 Mick Pennisi in the frontcourt.
Barako Bull’s recent PBA Governors Cup run was cut short by Powerade, knocking out the Energy Boosters in the first of a double knockout game for the last semifinal slot.
Rain or Shine eventually won the season-ending tournament, the first PBA championship of the franchise owned by Raymund Yu and Terry Que.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
