Llamados to feed on Giants tradition

MANILA, Philippines - The Purefoods TJ Giants have officially changed their name to the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados then vowed to live to their monicker as they bid for a PBA double championship after topping the All Filipino Cup recently.

“The monicker Llamados in itself carries a badge of expectations which I’m sure my players would be very enthusiastic about. In line with this, we pledge to play our best and hearts out in every game. We will be the Llamados through and through,” said B-MEG Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio in the official launch of the B-MEG Derby Ace team at A-Venue Hall in Makati yesterday.

San Miguel Pure Foods Company president Butch Alejo was on hand to present the team to top officials and key personnel of B-MEG, a flagship brand of San Miguel Pure Foods’ feeds business.

“We believe that our B-MEG brand will benefit from the tremendous exposure PBA gave to the Purefoods TJ Giants. We expect the Derby Ace Llamados to carry on the winning tradition of the TJ Giants,” said Alejo.

“And being one of our flagship brands, we hope it delivers the message to our customers that San Miguel Pure Foods always produces high quality and affordable products, from farm to play, 24 hours a day, and we will do so in many years to come,” Alejo added.

“I assure our long-time supporters and the new fans of B-MEG, that we will continue to play our best and win their hearts in every game. Our combined skills, intense training and incessant passion to win will ultimately lead us to another victory,” said team manager Alvin Patrimonio.

Team governor Rene Pardo is confident they would keep their winning tradition as they’ve done while undergoing several name changes from Coney Island Ice Cream, Purefoods Oodles, Purefoods Chunkee to Purefoods Tender Juicy.

The franchise joined the pro league in 1988 and has since won eight championships, including five in all-Filipino tourneys.

Topping the last Philippine Cup, the team is raring to sustain its drive in the coming Fiesta Conference, hoping import Lorrenzo Wade would be perfect fit with team’s local crew.

Meanwhile, John Ferriols is set to move over to Barangay Ginebra after he was relegated to the unrestricted free agent pool at Alaska Milk.

The Aces were forced to drop Ferriols after activating new recruit Samigue Eman.

“Since John Ferriols is not in Alaska’s official lineup, we’re getting him for Barangay Ginebra. We already agreed with Ferriols that we’ll assume his UPC (existing contract with Alaska),” said SMC official Robert Non.

Ferriols is the second big man Ginebra acquired after the all-Filipino tourney. The Kings earlier got Yancy de Ocampo from Air21 in exchange for Doug Kramer and Rich Alvarez.