Key Negros players, coach on way out?

The Negros management is reportedly in the process of revamping the entire team which figured in three national championships in the Metropolitan Basketball Association.

A STAR source said that Slashers general manager Babes Alvarez has reportedly conferred with team lawyers probably on the status of the contracts of some Negros personnel.

"I don’t want to comment on the specifics but I’m currently consulting with my lawyers and by next week, we’ll bare all the details of my meetings with them," Alvarez told The STAR.

But a Star informant, who requested anonymity, disclosed that the team management is allegedly planning to replace Sison, twice nominated as MBA coach of the year for steering Negros to two of its three Southern Conference crowns.

All but three Slashers, who placed second behind reigning titlist the LBC Batangas Blades, on the other hand, have expired contracts. The three with live contracts are John Ferriols, the league’s maiden season MVP, Leo Bat-og and Reynel Hugnatan, last year’s Most Improved Player.

Alvarez had already conducted a tryout last week in Mandaluyong in a move aimed at acquiring a couple of big men expected to boost Negros’ chances in the league’s fifth season, which is set to unfold on April 8.

Sison was not informed of the tryout. It was reportedly supervised by team agent Charlie Dy, and only two Slashers were invited – Dino Aldeguer and Chris-Dennis Madrid.

The fate of Johnadel Cardel, Patrick Benedicto, Reuben Dela Rosa, Cid White, Egay Ignacio and Judge Primero will be known at the conclusion of the tryouts.