By Rey Joble

A MAJOR shakeup in the roster of Coca-Cola looms before the season ends. And so is the most popular team in the Philippine Basketball Association—Barangay Ginebra.

Experiencing losing seasons over the past four years, there might be some changes in the Tigers’ den before or after the 2008-2009 season.

Premier frontliners Asi Taulava, Nic Belasco and Mark Telan and three other Coca-Cola players all have expiring contracts and their fates hang in the balance, especially with the Tigers languishing at the lower half of the team standings.

A highly placed source, who requested anonymity, told Standard Today that several marquee players from different squads might find themselves ending up in different teams either within or after the year.

“There are players right now na hindi na mapakali and sending text messages sa mga team managers,” said the source. “Kinakabahan na sila sa mangyayari while others want early negotiations. There were also several trade offers initiated among these players with expiring contracts, but there were no takers.”

Taulava is the only local player averaging in double-double—close to 16 points and 13 rebounds. He is definitely an asset to any squad.

Belasco is a dependable forward, who can play inside and out, but his career was lately marred by injuries.

Telan has also been a journeyman and his fate also remains up in the air with the Tigers having difficulty establishing a winning season.

Over at the Ginebra side, Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa also have expiring contracts, the same with former Most Valuable Player Eric Menk.


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