Hoping to relive the team’s historic moments in the league, Welcoat owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que made sure that they gathered the best available men to form an all-new but equally competitive team as they face a whole new challenge in the 2002 PBL Challenge Cup kicking off on Monday at the Pasig Sports Complex.
First, they signed up former Shark coach Leo Austria who proved to be the best choice to match the intensity of former mentor Junel Baculi – now back with his original team Kutitap Toothpaste.
The off-season proved to be a fruitful opportunity to scout equally intense players led by La Salle’s Ronald Cuan, former Freezer Kings Ariel Capus, Ronald Tubid and Paul Artadi and talented big men 6’6 Jean Marc Pingris, 6’5 Rodel Celo, 6’5 Mark Isip and 6’8 Don Yabut.
To cap their intensive search for the best talents, Welcoat acquired two of the most reliable and hardworking veteran talents from the MBA — six-foot-three guard Eddie Laure and 6’5 superstar Romel Adducul who finally signed up the other day.
Completing the team are mainstays Calijohn Orfrecio, 6’5 Melvin Mamaclay and Rey Tuble, Paolo Malonzo and new recruit 6’0 Dennis Miranda.
"We owe it to our fans and supporters that we give them nothing but the best. Malaking factor yung solid support nila in achieving that record feat of winning four championships all via sweeps," said Yu.
"Nakaka-miss din kaya doubly-excited kami on our comeback. Hopefully, the team will show the same character that fans are looking for. It’s a brand new challenge and I hope the team could keep up with the competition lalo na’t mas lalong lumakas yung ibang teams," added Que.
The Paint Masters are probably the tallest team to date having an average height of 6’2. Though the team has painstakingly prepared for the past three weeks, Austria admits there’s no assurance this new line-up would make it to the finals.
"Mas maganda kung makaabot kami sa finals — that would be an achievement for a new team. However, jelling will play a big factor as we go on, lalo na’t Adducul is yet to join us in the practice," explained Austria, who’ll be ably assisted by Jay Legacion and former Shark mainstay Caloy Garcia.
"That’s why we’re not expecting much lalo na’t nagpalakas din yung ibang teams. Mahirap talaga if you start from scratch because it will really take time to adjust iba-ibang personality ng mga players ko."