Pop Cola also building up for 2001

Just like Alaska Milk, Pop Cola also intends to continue rebuilding its team with team officials stressing no one is indispensable in their current lineup.

Team manager Elmer Yanga said they’re still open to player trades although they have closed a big one with the Uytengsu ballclub, getting the services of Johnny Abarrientos and Poch Juinio for Ali Peek and Jon Ordonio.

"If we traded Ali (Peek), what could stop us from trading any of our other players. Kung may magandang proposal, bakit hindi?," said Yanga.

"We stand to lose nothing since we’ve been on a slump for years now," added the amiable team manager, whose ballclub has gone without a title since nearly completing a grandslam season in 1995.

Pop Cola also made major changes in the team composition last year, getting Jojo Lastimosa and Rhoel Gomez from Alaska and Noli Locsin from Ginebra while also tapping a new coach in Chot Reyes. Still, the team failed to check its slump, never making it past the quarterfinal round in each of the three conferences this season.

Yanga said they’re hopeful they will improve their showing with the arrival of Abarrientos and Juinio.

"Johnny is now raring to play. Galing siya sa injury pero magaling na raw and he’s aching to go back into action," said Yanga.

Pop Cola will start its preparation for the 2001 season on Jan. 3 but Yanga said they will excuse Abarrientos and Juinio if they opt to join the Alaska ballclub in its US tour in January as part of its bonus for winning the All-Filipino Conference this year.

It’s unlikely though Abarrientos and Juinio will join the trip after being traded by their former team which they helped win nine championships.There were reports they felt bitter about the trade.

Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo said the move was part of their rebuilding for the future.

However, Trillo said they will forever consider Abarrientos a part of the Alaska family, adding they’re planning to retire the number of the one-time MVP winner along with those of Lastimosa and Sean Chambers next year.