3 PBL teams beef up to thwart H Centre

Three teams – CL Pera Padala, Magnolia Ice Cream and Toyota Balintawak – are firming up their respective rosters to foil Harbour Centre’s three-peat bid in the Philippine Basketball League.

The Moneymen, surprise quarterfinalists in the PBL Silver Cup last conference, have acquired five players including 6-foot-4" Fil-Swiss Mike Bueschler to beef up its already talented lineup led by Ken Bono and Doug Kramer.

The team’s other recruits are Ariel Capus, Erwin Sta. Maria, Mel Latoreno and Mapua standout Kelvin dela Peña, who are expected to boost the Jean Henri Lhuillier-owned franchise’s campaign in the season-opening conference set April 14.

Bueschler, who failed to suit up for San Beda and La Salle in the collegiate leagues, is a shooting forward who can bang it up inside.

"He’s very athletic and very strong inside but still very raw," said CL Pera Padala coach Luigi Trillo. "But I expect him to improve and contribute significantly to the team."

The five plus Bono and Kramer will be joining Macky Escalona, Eric dela Cuesta, Emer Oreta, Mark Yee, Don Dulay and Joel Solis in the CL Pera Padala fold.

The Spinners, for their part, have picked up big men Al Magpayo and Alwyn Espiritu while the Roadkings tapped Eugene Tan and Paul Guerrero.

Magnolia mentor Koy Banal said Magpayo and Espiritu, formerly of TeleTech and the defunct Montaña Pawnshop, respectively, should fill the gap left by Nigerian Sam Ekwe and Yousif Aljamal, who were recalled by San Beda to train for the NCAA cage wars.

"We’re lucky to have these players," said Banal.

Toyota Balintawak coach Louie Alas said Tan and Guerrero should help provide the leadership to his young but talented crew headed by Silver Cup Mythical First Team member Marvin Cruz and Patrick Cabahug.

"We expect them to create a big impact on the team

because of their leadership and experience," said

Alas.