Ex-Ateneo guard joins Cobra five

MANILA, Philippines - Jai Reyes, who helped power Ateneo to back-to-back UAAP championships, hopes to bring his act to the Philippine Basketball League as he joins Cobra Energy Drink in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup starting Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.

Reyes will be one of the several rookies strutting their wares in the upcoming league with the former Ateneo guard hoping to brandish the same game he showed in helping the Eagles complete the back-to-back title romps. 

Reyes will join former collegiate rivals Paul Lee and Pari Llagas of University of the East in the Cobra roster, thus making the team an instant title contender in the league’s season-opening tournament.

Cobra is also hoping Ateneo will allow veteran guard Eric Salamat to suit up for the team.

“I have no problems with Reyes, he’s cooperative, patient and very disciplined which are the traits of a good player,” said Lawrence Chongson.

Aside from Reyes, other newcomers in Cobra’s roster are Chris Camus of University of Santo Tomas, Mapua’s Mark Sarangay and Greg Aguilar.

Other rookies to watch are Raffy Ynion of University of Perpetual who will play for AddMix, Calvin Abueva and Ronald Pascual of San Sebastian College and Argel Mendoza of Emilio Aguinaldo College who will see action for Excel Roof.

Antonio Tiu’s Agrinurture has 11 rookies in the fold.

Also expected to shine this year are NCAA Finals MVP Jimbo Aquino, Gio Ciriacruz of Arellano and NCAA MVP John Wilson.

“He was still raw when we took him two years ago, but he has improved tremendously,” said Ascof Lagundi’s team manager Jean Alabanza of Aquino.

AddMix coach Leo Austria described the 6-foot-3 Ciriacruz as a PBA material, saying: “He can shoot from almost all angles.”