MANILA, Philippines - Isang veteran power forward at isang rookie guard ang pinapirma kahapon ng kontrata ng Globalport bilang paghahanda sa darating na 39th season ng Philippine Basketball Association.
Binigyan ng Batang Pier ang one-time PBA Most Valuable Player na si Erik Menk ng 1-year deal habang isang three-year deal na nagkakahalaga ng P9 milyon ang nilagdaan ni No. 6 overall pick at da-ting Far Eastern University standout na si RR Garcia.
“We need somebody who can defend against tall players like Greg (Slaughter ng Ginebra) and June Mar (Fajardo ng Petron),†sabi ni Globalport team owner Mikee Romero sa kanilang pagkuha sa 6-foot-5 na si Menk.
Matapos pakawalan ng Ginebra ay naglaro si Menk para sa nagkampeong San Miguel Beermen sa Asean Basketball League (ABL) katuwang ni Asi Taulava.
Huling naglaro ang 39-anyos na si Menk noong Hunyo 12.
“He’s still in the level to give us major minutes but he will be patient as he admitted that he still needs to get his game shape back,†sabi ni team manager BJ Manalo.
Tatanggap naman ang 5’11 na si Garcia ng maximum rookie salary na P150,000 at 225,000 sa unang dalawang taon niya bago mabigyan ng P337.500 sa kanyang ikatlo at huling taon.
“We believe in his ta-lent that’s why we gave him a three-year contract,†wika ni Romero kay Garcia. “He’s the future of the team.â€
Kasalukuyan pang nakikipag-usap ang Batang Pier kay No. 5 pick Terrence Romero, na katuwang ni Garcia sa Tamaraws sa nakaraang UAAP season.