AFTER 15 years together, Rafi Reavis and the Purefoods franchise have parted ways.
The Magnolia Hotshots have formally released the veteran forward, ending more than a decade of partnership bonded by seven PBA championships won.
Until letting him go, Reavis was the only remaining player from the last championship Ryan Gregorio won as coach of the franchise during the 2009-10 Philippine Cup.
READ Unrestricted free agent Paolo Taha signed to two-year Magnolia deal
The lanky Fil-Am actually played for four other coaches during his stay with Magnolia aside from Gregorio - Jorge Gallent, Tim Cone, Jayson Webb, and Chito Victolero.
Seven of his total 11 championships were won with the organization, including the rare grand slam in 2014.
But while, Reavis left Magnolia, the 48-year-old big man is not about to hang up his sneakers.
Released, not retired
A source close to the New York native shared to SPIN.ph that Reavis will still try to look for a team to play for if there’s anyone still interested in getting his services.
“Titingnan niya raw kung may mag-offer pang PBA teams if ever,” said the same source.
Reavis played a total of 17 games in his final season with the Hotshots, and was even selected as Player of the Game in an 88-83 win over TNT in the Philippine Cup eliminations that clinched for the team twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
But his final game with Magnolia also haunted him and the rest of the team as his foul on Kelly Williams with two seconds remaining led to two free throws for the former MVP that clinched TNT's 80-79 win over Magnolia in their do-or-die game for a berth in the semifinals.
Reavis was sent in for defensive purposes after Ian Sangalang put the Hotshots ahead, 79-78, with five seconds remaining.
But Williams managed to box out Reavis for the offensive board after a missed four-point shot by Jordan Heading, forcing the Magnolia old hand to foul his TNT counterpart for the two corresponding freebies.
Letting go of the 48-year-old big man was among the bold moves management made in the off-season following a disappointing campaign in Season 49 where the Hotshots failed to live up to expectations by failing to reach the semifinals in all of three conferences.
A change in the coaching personnel was the first step the organization did, replacing long-time mentor Chito Victolero with LA Tenorio.
The Hotshots then elevated former deputy Jayson Webb as team governor, and then swapped assistant coaches by acquiring Kirk Collier from Ginebra for Johnny Abarrientos.
One by one, the Hotshots then re-signed Peter Alfaro, Russel Escoto, and Joseph Eriobu to new contracts, before acquiring veteran guard Paolo Taha from the free agency list.
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