After a lackluster performance in the recently-concluded Philippine Cup where they tied the hapless Barako Bull Energy Boosters for ninth place, the Powerade Tigers are hoping for a better showing in the import-flavored second conference which reels off on February 19.

And after making a few personnel changes, Powerade coach Bo Perasol is optimistic his team won’t be taking an early vacation again.

“Very frustrating sa amin ang first conference,” said Perasol. “Although we were able to trade the people that we think we’re not going to have in the future, like Asi (Taulava) and some of the rest, I feel we could have done better.”

The former UP Maroon is referring to the three-way trade in September with Meralco and Barako Bull that sent Taulava to Meralco and gave the Tigers Rob Reyes and a 2011 second-round draft pick. The deal raised some eyebrows considering Powerade gave up a marquee player in Taulava and got a role player at best in Reyes. But Perasol said their more recent moves will pay dividends for the team in the upcoming conference.

“Sadly, we were not able to make it at least doon sa quarterfinals,” he said. “We were able to identify iyong mga points kung saan kami dapat mag-improve. Number one, s’yempre, manpower pa rin.”

In Perasol’s view, the Tigers can match up with the likes of Meralco, Air21, or Rain or Shine. “We have to make sure na man for man, kaya namin makipag-match-up sa kanila. So what we did in the off-conference, naghanap kami ng mga players na puedeng makatulong,” he said.

Specifically, the Tigers signed up veteran point guard Celino Cruz to bring stability to the backcourt while also shoring up their frontline with the addition of JR Quinahan. The latter is seen as insurance for skipper Dennis Espino, who has been beset by injuries of late and at 37 is no spring chicken.

The other new face on the Tigers’ roster is, of course, their import Russell Carter, whom Perasol described as a physical presence inside with good offensive skills. The six-four Carter suited up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in college, where he averaged 17 points a game in his senior year. Not drafted by any NBA team, he took his act to the NBDL’s Tulsa 66ers before moving to the European leagues. He is coming off a stint in Belgium.

“Naglaro siya sa Notre Dame sa Big East,” Perasol said of the 25-year-old Carter. “So I can assume na sanay siya sa mga banggaan, which iyon ang kailangan namin.” The coach is also hoping his import can inject a winning attitude into the Tigers, who seem to have settled for mediocrity.

Perasol added: “Specifically, always our requirement for our import is that he has to be the catalyst of this team. It’s not as if they are coming to a team that has a winning culture. Itong team namin, sanay ito na natatatalo. Ang hirap kasi parang nandoon na ang kultura na okay matalo, o kaya pagdating ng ganito we cannot go another higher level. So iyon ang challenge ng pagdating ng import. Kailangan na iyong import can carry almost singlehandedly iyong team.”

On paper, Carter could fit this bill. He was named a tri-captain of the Irish in his senior year, when he was also named to the All-Big East First Team. Then again, maybe he won’t. He only averaged 5 points a game during his brief four-game stint in Belgium, and the year before, only lasted three games for a Ukrainian team.

As of now, the Tigers have 16 locals in their training camp competing for 14 slots. The two who will be left out will become unrestricted free agents. The point guard rotation includes, Cruz, Jai Reyes, Chico Lanete, and veteran Paolo Mendoza.

It’s doubtful that Powerade will field four point guards, so most likely one of these four will be cut or utilized at the two-guard spot. And speaking of which, at shooting guard there’s Gary David, who led league in scoring at the end of the elimination round with 21.5 points per game, and Mark Macapagal.

The small forwards include Francis Allera, Sean Anthony, and RJ Rizada, while the power forwards are Will Antonio, Eddie Laure, Norman Gonzales, and Ricky Calimag. Reyes, Espino, and Quinahan will rotate at the five spot.

It’s a decent, if not solid, line-up, and one that might still have trouble with the elite teams. “Always naman iyan, lagi kong sinasabi,” Perasol explained, “ang solid na five would be the three San Miguel teams, Talk ‘N Text at Alaska. And the rest of us, nandoon sa bottom five.”

Sid Ventura, Fit To Post