Cariaso set to sign P13.2-M deal

Barring any hitch, Coca-Cola will hand Jeffrey Cariaso today his new contract worth P13.2 million in three years as it starts its buildup with three weeks to go before the opening of the 2003 PBA season.

Cariaso will continue getting a monthly pay of P400,000 this year then settles for P350,000 the next two years as the league starts fully implementing the new salary cap scheme.

Though Cariaso had yet to sign his new pact, the Busan Asian Games veteran was willing to suit up for Coca-Cola in a pre-season exhibition game versus FedEx last night at the CEU Centrodome in Malolos.

Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes, however, opted not to use him as Cariaso has yet to fully recover from the groin injury that kept him out of the 2002 All-Filipino Cup finals which the Tigers won over the Alaska Aces.

"May risk na baka ma-aggravate iyung injury niya na pagaling na. I don’t want to take that risk," said Reyes.

Though fielding only his second unit plus tryouts Jeck Chia and Rob Wainwright, the Tigers had a relatively easy time disposing of the Express in a 101-77 rout that spoke well of Coca-Cola’s capability to defend the All-Filipino crown.

Johnny Abarrientos, Chris Bolado, Freddie Abuda and Estong Ballesteros also sat out the game as they’re still nursing different injuries.

"Jeffrey (Cariaso) is now running but he’s not yet 100 percent healthy. Si Johnny medyo maga pa ang mukha but he’s raring to return to action right in our first game this season," said Reyes of his two key players.

Aside from Cariaso, the other players who remain unsigned at Coca-Cola are Ballesteros and Rafi Reavies.

Reyes, however, doesn’t see any problem closing deals with Cariaso, Ballesteros and Ballesteros.

Hardly showing any hangover from their championship party right on Christmas Day last year, the Tigers pounced and pounded the Express in a stirring win that well underscored Coca-Cola’s eagerness and excitement to defend the All-Filipino crown in the coming PBA wars.

The Express lost their two assignments in this PBA pre-season series as they also suffered a blowout at the hands of the Purefoods Hotdogs last week at the Rodriguez Sports Center in Marikina.

The Tigers, meanwhile, next play the Shell Turbochargers on Feb. 16 at the Nene Aguilar Gym.

Though starting their buildup only two weeks ago, the Tigers displayed amazing form and completely outplayed the Express.

They raced to a 30-20 lead in the first quarter and pulled away to 57-40. at halftime and held huge double-digit spreads in the final half.

Former MBA star Reynel Hugnatan, the No. 7 pick overall in the recent draft, scored 20 points to pace the Tigers who also drew double-digit outputs from Poch Juinio and Rafi Reavies. Rudy Hatfield played only a few minutes and scored only one point.

Renren Ritualo, Vergel Meneses and Jerry Codinera combined for 52 points for the Express who missed the services of Yancy de Ocampo and John Ferriols.