Harbour Centre, FEU Tamaraws join forces

Manila Bulletin - August 5, 2008

PBL five-time champion Harbour Centre yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with leading UAAP title contender Far Eastern University in a deal that is expected to boost their winning chances in their respective leagues.

"Our agreement is that we have to help each other out to keep our winning tradition going," said Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero. "FEU is a tough team, so we hope we can help them achieve their goal this year. But I’m confident they (Tamaraws) can do it."

"They (Tamaraws) are young and promising players and we feel we can help them reach their full potential, but their program is already good so it’s just a matter of timing," added Romero.

Part of the two-year deal is that Harbour Centre will help FEU in its recruitment program and training of their players.

The Tamaraws finished in joint second with defending champion La Salle at 5-2 at the end of the first round elimination. Ateneo topped the first round elims with a 6-1 card.

After the UAAP season, at least 9 players from the FEU squad will get the chance to play for Harbour in the coming PBL where the Batang Pier are hoping to extend their championship run to six.

FEU team manager Anton Montinola expressed delight with their partnership with Harbour Centre, saying both ball clubs boast of a rich winning tradition.

"This is a perfect partnership since we both have a winning tradition and our players are already ripe for the PBL," said Montinola. "This is just the right time."

The Batang Pier made history in the PBL recently by becoming the first team to win five-straight championships.

The Tamaraws, on the other hand, share the honor with University of Santo Tomas as the winningest clubs in the prestigious collegiate league with 19 titles each.

Also present during the signing of MOU were team manager Erick Arejola, FEU athletic moderator Mark Molina, coach Jorge Gallent and Harbour Centre COO Edwin L. Jeremillo.

"We have only a two-year deal but it’s renewable. We can extend it to five or six years," said Arejola.

"We hope that other teams in the PBL will also help some schools."

Among the FEU players being eyed by Gallent are Benedict Fernandez, Ricky Cawaling, John Aldrech Ramos, Reil Crvantes, Andy Mark Barroca, Paul Joseph Sanga, Jen Dieter Knuttel, Edgar Tanuan and Jonblargs Alisbo.

"We can possibly send them abroad for next year’s UAAP tournament," said Arejola.