Import Watch

Life goes on for Giants; Chandler back in harness

By Rey Joble

PUREFOODS has a rich winning tradition in the Philippine Basketball Association’s All-Filipino tournament. And it’s surprising to see the Giants limp to one of their worst finishes in a tournament that highlights local talent.

Injuries, player adjustments and bad breaks were the reasons that led to the Giants’ downfall and Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio believes it’s time for his team to move on.

And this early, the Giants are looking forward for a more productive 2009 campaign in the Reinforced Conference as they will bring back former Best Import awardee Marquin Chandler.

The 6’6” former University of San Jose Spartan is playing in the Korean Basketball League and Gregorio said he had continued conversations with his former import, who led the team to a runner-up finish in the 2005-2006 Fiesta Conference.

“We’re planning to bring him back. We have talked to him several times and he’s in Korea now. We couldn’t wait to get back in action next conference,” said Gregorio.

Chandler plays the no. 3 spot, a position which the Giants sorely lacked after the departure of Marc Pingris, who was traded for Romel Adducul last season.

The Giants were booted out early in the ongoing KFC-PBA Philippine Cup after losing badly to the Air21 Express in the wildcard phase, 82-94. It was one of the rare moments Purefoods won’t make it all the way to the championship round in a tournament it dominated for many years.

The All-Filipino is Purefoods’ familiar turf.

Since joining the PBA in 1988, Purefoods has always made it to the finals and has done that in succession until 1994. It missed the finals for the first time in 1995, when it was beaten twice in a row by Alaska in the semifinals, but bounced back in the next two years.

In fact, it won the title in 1997, beating Gordon’s Gin in six games. The Giants had a roller-coaster ride at the start of the new decade, but they managed to get into the championship round three straight times in 2000, 2005-2006 and 2007-2008.

Purefoods’ last championship was the All-Filipino in 2005-2006 season and had a chance to become the first team since Great Taste to win back-to-back all-Pinoy titles, but lost to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in seven games.