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It's going to be wide open race -- coaches
(November 6, 2008)

APPARENTLY, the departure of majority of its star players has diminished the mystique surrounding five-time Philippine Basketball League (PBL) champion Harbour Centre.

To the eyes of opposing coaches, the Batang Pier are definitely no longer immortal based on their statements during yesterday's PSA Forum at the Shakey's U.N. Avenue branch.

"Maganda `yung balance ng liga ngayon. Any team can win the championship,'said Toyota Otis coach Ariel Vanguardia. "With Harbour Centre rebuilding its lineup, pantay-pantay na ngayon ang mga teams.'Added Allan Gregorio, the Mail and More mentor, "Every team has a good chance of making the semis and competing for the championship.'Unlike before when just about everybody would concede Harbour Centre as the favored team for the title at the start of every conference, the exit of the Batang Pier's championship core had the team becoming vulnerable this coming season, which formally kicks off on Nov. 8 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

No longer in Harbour Centre's roster are former three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Jason Castro, Solomon Mercado, Jonathan Fernandez, TY Tang, Jeff Chan, Beau Belga and Chad Alonzo.
Jorge Gallent, the man responsible for the franchise's five straight PBL titles, admitted that bidding for a sixth straight championship won't be easy, but stressed the team owned by Mikee Romero, the current league chairman, still has the tools to compete with the rest of the field.

"We still have a good chance of retaining the title since we got the core of the FEU team, plus at least 5-6 holdovers including two returnees in Rico (Maierhoffer) and Reed Juntilla,'said Gallent in the same forum sponsored by Shakey's, Accel, Brickroad gym and Aspen spa and MedCentral Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center.

To its credit, Harbour Centre remains among the top teams considered good enough to make the semifinals.

New Hapee coach Gee Abanila rated Toyota Otis, Mail and More and Harbour Centre as the ones he expects to be in the semifinals.

"At tsaka siyempre yung Magnolia, seeded din sila this conference,'he added.

Magnolia assistant coach Chito Victolero agrees with Abanilla, but also believes the rest of the teams has a legitimate shot at the title.

"Halos lahat naman malalakas, pantay-pantay lahat ng teams,'said Victorelro, whose Magnolia squad will be reinforced by the core of University of Santo Tomas.

With Toyota Otis having the most intact lineup, Vanguardia believes all eyes will be on the Sparks.
"This is the closest we will be to being favorites, with about 10 guys having been there for us before,'he added.

The Pharex Medics are the first ones to test the new-look Harbour Centre in the Saturday opener (4 p.m.) preceded by the inaugural game of the WPBL pitting Sunkist-La Salle against Nutri-C Ateneo at 2 p.m.

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