With the right mix of veterans and upstarts, the newly-christened San Mig Coffee Mixers, formerly the B-Meg Llamados, vow to continue the winning tradition of their franchise as they gun for a 10th PBA championship in the league’s 38th season, set to start on Sept. 30.
San Miguel Pure Foods Company President Francisco S. Alejo III announced the change in team name to members of the press and fans yesterday, in lively launch at the 1Esplanade in Pasay City. He also issued his marching orders for the team.
“The mission is to keep the tradition of winning, excellence and fair play that made us a force to reckon with in the PBA,” Alejo said.
He added that the goal is for the team to be the number one team in the league again, as well as to make San Mig Coffee the number one coffee brand in the Philippines.
The team, which won the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown, will be coached anew by Tim Cone and spearheaded by the trio of two-time MVP James Yap, Marc Pingris and Peter June Simon.
San Mig Coffee Super Coffeemix Company, Inc. General Manager Michael Allan Castro welcomed the team under the San Mig Coffee banner.
“We are very excited about this development. We recognize that basketball is huge in our country and the PBA will help us reach more consumers and raise greater awareness for the brand,” said Castro.
Team veterans include Jonas Villanueva, Rafi Reavis, JC Intal, Mark Barroca, Chris Pacana, Ken Bono, Joe De Vance, Mike Burtscher, Wesley Gonzales and Yancy de Ocampo. Playing in their first season are rookies Jewel Ponferrada, Gian Chu and Aldrech Ramos.
Assisting Cone at the bench are Richard del Rosario, Koy Banal, Johnny Abarrientos, Jeffrey Cariaso and Mon Jose. Four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio serves as team manager.
The franchise won the championships in the 1990 Third Conference, 1991 All-Filipino, 1993 All-Filipino, 1994 Commissioner's Cup, 1997 All-Filipino, 2002 Governors Cup, 2006 Philippine Cup, 2009-2010 Philippine Cup and 2012 Commissioner's Cup.
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