R2-Builders to continue Harbour Centre reign?

MANILA, Philippines - Having established a dynasty in the Philippine Basketball League, Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero hopes to build another one with the R2-Builders.

But it won’t be easy. With the core of the six-time Harbour champion squad out in the next conference, the team will be hard-pressed to keep its dominance in the league.

“There is going to be a revamp because many veterans will be gone by next conference,” said Romero, moments after the Batang Pier downed the Magnolia Wizards, 88-83, to annex the PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup championship, 3-1, at The Arena in San Juan Tuesday.

It was Harbour’s sixth straight win in as many Finals appearances, making it one of the most dominant franchises ever to play in the 26-year old league.

It also served as a fitting farewell for the squad as it embarks on a new task on a different level in the next season with the Harbour Centre uniform and banner to be retired for good, according to Romero.

“This would be the last time the Harbour Centre jersey will be worn, in any basketball (leagues), whether in the PBL or the PBA,” said Romero of the multi-titled ball club that produced the likes of Mac-Mac Cardona, LA Tenorio, Joseph Yeo, Jason Castro, Larry Fonacier, Gabby Espinas, Ronjay Buenafe, Chico Lanete, TY Tang, Solomon Mercado, Jeff Chan, Beau Belga and Chad Alonzo.

Romero said he will now concentrate on being alternate governor of Burger King, which takes over from Air21, in the PBA with Albert Tirona set to take over as Harbour team manager from Erick Arejola, who will join Romero in the pros.

There are also plans for FEU coach Glen Capacio to be the head coach of the R2-Builders as replacement to Harbour mentor Jorge Gallent, who will remain as consultant.

Gallent and Harbour consultant Junel Baculi are also set to join Romero in the PBA as assistants to coach Yeng Guiao.

“There’s no sure thing yet but Albert (Tirona) might take over as team manager if he’s not busy,” said Romero. “I also want to talk to Jorge (Gallent) if he wants to concentrate in the PBA and be team consultant in the PBL.

“Coach Glen (Capacio) will remain. If Jorge wants to be consultant, Glen would be there. But whatever happens, the tie-up with FEU still remains,” Romero said.

The sixth and final championship also proved to be the most emotional as far as Romero and the Batang Pier were concerned.

The team had to do it without the ace player Reed Juntilla, whose contract with Red Bull had been reactivated in the PBA. The hot-shooting Cebu native was Harbour Centre’s top offensive man, averaging 13.6 points in the first three games of the finals.

But Benedict Fernandez and Mark Barroca and the rest of the squad stepped up to help give Harbour Centre a winning record which experts believe will be hard to surpass, or even match.