Pangasinan also wants Adducul

Pangasinan, which is returning to the Metropolitan Basketball Association this season after taking a leave of absence last year, has expressed interest to acquire Romel Adducul from LBC Batangas.

A reliable source said Pangasinan general manager Tim Orbos had informed LBC Batangas owner Santi Araneta of their desire to tap in Adducul then build their ballclub around the 6-foot-5 behemoth.

The same source said Orbos and his group are aggressive in their plan to form a highly competitive squad with Tanduay Rhum set to come in as partner-backer.

Ed Ponceja, Adducul’s adviser-agent, said they have yet to receive a formal offer from Pangasinan. Other teams interested in Adducul are the TPG Davao squad of the Araneta Group of Companies and the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems.

LBC Batangas team governor Dino Araneta told The STAR that he has been talking with Orbos although he did not say when the Blades management would come up with the decision on Adducul.

"We can’t come up with a decision yet but we’re hoping to do so before the end of the month because the fifth season is just barely two months away," said Araneta.

Adducul has said he wanted out of LBC Batangas after the ballclub refused to release him for the PBA Annual Draft last January.

Meanwhile, Pangasinan coach Lawrence Cheongson announced that they will hold a three-day tryout starting Monday at the Tanduay gym in Quiapo, Manila. Tryout starts at 1 p.m.