August 2007 Team Overview

Sta Lucia Realtors

Last season’s W-L Record: 18-28 (0.39), Ranked 8th overall
Rank each conference: 6th place (13-14) Philippine Cup, 9th place (5-14) Fiesta Cup

Key Rotation Players Returning:

13 Marlou Aquino - Center
25 Ronnie Bughao - Guard
FA Philip Butel - Center
16 Dennis Espino - Forward/Center
28 Norman Gonzalez - Forward
12 Mark Isip - Forward
08 Paolo Mendoza - Guard
R Melvin Mamaclay - Forward
32 Dennis Miranda - Guard
03 Nelbert Omolon - Forward
R Ryan Reyes - Guard
21 Kelly Williams - Forward

Reserve List

06 Cesar Catli - Guard
14 Mark Magsumbol - Forward
01 Manny Ramos - Center
15 Rafael Santos - Forward

Note:
R - Rookie
FA - Free Agent

Needs:

• Big Man
• Bench Scoring

Analysis:

The twin towers of SLR are not as formidable as they once were, 3 years ago, primarily because of the age factor. They were hoping to revitalize their frontline by picking Kelly Williams and Mark Isip from last year’s draft, but both are more comfortable playing as PF than as Centers. This year’s draft would have been a good chance to pick a legitimate slot man, but, as luck would have it, the availability of point guard Ryan Reyes at number 3 was just too good to pass up.

In the end, the team was compelled to pick an unknown forward, Melvin Mamaclay, at number 13 and signed free agent Philip Butel to relieve either Aquino or Espino at the slot. The team still has Manny Ramos, which they acquired in a deal with Coke last year that also sent Dennis Miranda in exchange for Kenneth Duremdes, Ricky Calimag and Alex Cabagnot. However, based on what he did last Conference, Ramos would serve the team best as a third option coming off the bench or not come in at all.

The team could be hoping that their frontline has improved after the recent acquisition and they hope to test this in the 2007 Sultan Cup in Brunei. However, I don’t think it is hard for anybody to surmise that that SLR’s frontline would still need a major overhaul. Once the starting five of Isip, Espino, Williams, Mendoza and Reyes has left the floor, the second unit of Omolon, Miranda, Bughao, Aquino and Gonzalez would be hard-pressed to keep up with the other team’s second stringers. There is a dire need for a big man who can play both ends of the court to step up coming off the bench. If SLR cannot acquire one from the free agency market, trading with either Alaska, TnT or San Miguel Beer could be an option.