Nobody but Wade for Giants

Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Purefoods, determined to get a good shot at a double championship, took a long while to enlist its lone choice for the coming PBA Fiesta Conference and tapped Lorenzo Wade, a 6-foot-6, 228-pound forward out of San Diego U.

“The Fiesta Conference will largely depend on the right import reinforcement. That is why I’m cautious and vigilant in choosing the right one so as not to dilute our championship chemistry,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

Purefoods pulled off a stirring sweep of Alaska to capture the PBA All-Filipino Championship with the Giants vowing to go all out to complete a sweep of the season.

“We are determined to figure prominently in the next conference and hopefully complete a modern day grand slam,” Gregorio said.

The Purefoods mentor noted some teams have balanced their rosters with player movement, including Alaska Milk, San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Air21. But he’s confident he has a roster that can compete against any team.

Meanwhile, Purefoods is still on vacation savoring its all-Filipino romp, less than a week before the opening of the second conference although the team will not see action until after the Holy Week.

“From my understanding, we won’t play till the fourth of April. That gives us close to two weeks to prepare for the coming tourney, and it would be just right,” said Gregorio.

“Remember that we played a total of 33 games and 15 straight in the all-Filipino playoffs. Some of my players played hurt in our championship run. Now is the time to rest their banged-up bodies,” Gregorio also said.

“The mind was also stretched, so this is a great time for us to quiet down, heal the body and relax the mind,” he added.

Team manager Alvin Patrimonio led the team’s search for the right import.

Patrimonio and Gregorio believe Wade would fit with the team.

“I think he can compliment the players that we have in our roster,” said Gregorio of Wade, who is fresh from his stint with the Greek team in the Euro league.

“His description is a lefty, open-court player, highly athletic and very skillful. He’s an incredible dunker, slasher with perimeter skills and decent three-point shooting,” Gregorio also said.

“He’s our one and only choice. So from all indications, everything is done except formal signing,” Gregorio added.

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