Baculi, Alas call shots for Barako Bull in PBA

MANILA, Philippines - Junel Baculi and Louie Alas, who coached the RP teams to the SEABA championship and the Southeast Asian Games, are again joining forces as taking over the coaching rein at Barako Bull in the PBA.

Baculi will be the new head coach with Alas as his chief deputy. Leo Isaac, the former coach, will help as consultant of the team.

The team roster will also be revamped, paving the way for the entry of new faces.

Sources said cinch for spots in the team are Rob Wainwright and Jerwin Gaco. Christian Coronel, Warren Ybanez, Al Vergara and Erwin Sta. Maria are set to try out with the team.

Owner George Chua is out to improve his team’s awful last-placed finish in the recent Philippine Cup.

With Harbour Centre coming in as sponsor, Barako Bull is looking forward for a better showing in the Fiesta Conference, which starts March 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Energy Boosters play the Sta. Lucia Realtors in the opening game.

Meanwhile, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio said they now have an import prospect in Lorenzo Wade, a 6-foot-6, 228-pound forward out of San Diego U.

Wade, said to be an open-court player, highly athletic and skillful, last played for the Greece team in the Euro League.

For Baculi, the long wait to be a head coach in the PBA is finally over. He believes he is more than ready for the job, having won championships in the local and international arenas.

He has also been exposed to PBA games, working as assistant to Yeng Guiao at Burger King (now Air21).

Alas had also been with the Talk n Text coaching staff. He is also a winner with championships in the MBA, NCAA, PBL and in the inaugural ABL tourney with the Philippine Patriots.