Barako bolsters slate

Source: Manila Bulletin
By Waylon Galvez
Barako Bull on Thursday signed veteran players Leo Najorda and Jojo Duncil to a similar one-year extension aside from getting two more free agents to bolster its roster for the coming PBA Fiesta Cup set March 21.

The 6-foot-3 Najorda, a former NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP) from San Sebastian College, is averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in the previous Philippine Cup, while Duncil, a one-time University of Santo Tomas ace guard who won Finals MVP when the Tigers won the UAAP title in 2006, also signed a one-year contract.

Both contracts, sources said, approximately worth P1.5 million.

The Boosters also signed a pair of free agents, 5-foot-6 point guard Al Vergara, and power forward Gerwin Gaco, considered one of the best defenders from the amateur ranks.

Vergara, who played last season with Purefoods, recently suited up for the Singapore Slingers in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) won by the Philippine Patriots.

Gaco made key contribution in the RP Patriots victory in the ABL.

The Boosters also tapped the services of 6-foot-6 Sam Monroe, who last played for the Potros Itson in Mexico. He had his first practice yesterday.

The 25-year-old Monroe, a physical education/sports management graduate at Newberry, averaged almost 25 points per game in Mexico with 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He also played three years ago with the Rochester RazorSharks in the Premiere Basketball League (PBL).

Meantime, Air21 will have Keena Young as import after its original choice, Leroy Hickerson, figured in a vehicular accident in Kentucky, USA after a stint in Mexico.