As the PBA enters its Golden Year by October 2025, teams are busy fixing their lineups in order to create history in the 50th Year of the league.
Rafi Reavis Released by Magnolia Hotshots
Among the many decisions that the newly appointed Head Coach of the Magnolia Hotshots, LA Tenorio, have made this offseason is to release the veteran center of the team, Rafi Reavis.
The 48 year old who has been with the team for the last 15 years and has won 7 championships during his tenure. He was also part of the iconic San Mig Coffee Grandlam in 2014.
Photo Credits: PBA
Reavis, who played for Ginebra from 2006 to 2009 was traded to Purefoods Giants (now known as Magnolia) way back in 2009. He then won a championship with the Giants during the 2009-10 PBA Philippine Cup which was then coached by Ryan Gregorio.
The 2nd Overall Pick of the Coca Cola Tigers back in the PBA 2002 Draft has seen 4 coaching changes with the Hotshots. From Ryan Gregorio to Jorge Gallent, to Tim Cone, to Jayson Webb and to Chito Victolero.
However, based on the sources of Spin.ph, Reavis isn’t retiring yet.
The 11-time PBA champion is still interested to continue playing for any team that wants to sign him.
“Titingnan niya raw kung may mag-offer pang PBA teams if ever,” said the same source of spin.ph
Reavis played only 17 games in his last season of Magnolia. His last game also being the most forgetful as he costs the semifinal hopes of his team with his late game errors in the quarterfinals do-or-die match against the TNT Tropang 5G during the PBA 49th Philippine Cup.
Raymond Almazan Signs 2-year Contract Extension with Meralco Bolts
Meralco Bolts secured their 6-foot-8 big man, Raymond Almazan, after signing a 2-year contract extension.
Photo Credits: Spin.ph
The 36 year old former player for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters averaged 6.4 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Bolts in Season 49 of the PBA.
Almazan will now enter his 7th year with the orange men going all the way back during 2019 where he was traded in exchange of Meralco’s two 1st Round Picks.
Raymond, who was part of the 1st ever championship of Meralco during the PBA 48th Philippine Cup in 2024, will join veteran big men of the team: Cliff Hodge, Kyle Pascual, Raymar Jose and their young 6-foot-9 center, Brandon Baites.
Willy Wilson Gets Tapped to be the New Head Coach of Phoenix Fuel Masters
The former assistant coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters since 2019 now gets to do the main duties as he takes on the Head Coaching role.
Photo Credits: Basketball Zone
The 45-year-old Willy Wilson, who also played for Phoenix from 2016 to 2018, has been on the sidelines of the squad for a long time and has seen the teams’ highs and lows.
“Management believes that coach Willy will be a good fit for the team as it continues to pursue more success in Season 50,” said the team in a statement. “His experience both as a PBA player and coach will be an instrumental tool as he steers the best out of the Fuel Masters in the coming season,” the team added.
The Fuel Masters’ former Head Coach Jamike Jarin has now moved to be the Team’s Consultant.
“No Shortages in Talent” and Goals of Head Coach Wilson
In his first practice with the team, a story from spin.ph revealed that his main objective as a newly appointed Head Coach is simple: bring Phoenix to the Playoffs.
He also reiterated that his current lineup doesn’t have a shortage of talent by saying:
“I’m going to have to learn how to get the most out of my players, put them in the position to be successful..I’m gonna have to learn how to do that better because the talent is there. We have a talented group of guys. Obviously, we lack a true center, but there are ways, schematically, to work around that. So now it’s just all about them learning how to win together consistently, us, actually as a team, learning how to win consistently and just to continue growing as a team.”
Considering that the last time Phoenix entered the semifinals was during the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup, here is what he had to say in achieving the Playoff dreams:
“The goal obviously is to make the playoffs and then go from there. Our chances of doing that, I think they’re just as good as most of the other teams. Obviously, we all start zero-zero and, taking away the injuries, I think it’s a pretty even playing field. Obviously, you see some teams that are on paper a lot stronger than others, but I like our chances and I like where we’re headed.”
A “Dorian Peña” Type of Rookie in the PBA 50th Draft
Adding to one of the objectives of Head Coach Wilson for Phoenix is to draft a “Dorian Peña” type of big man in the upcoming 50th PBA Draft.
“You look at the composition of our team, and we’re lacking a true center. I’d love to have a Dorian Peña. Somebody that I played with back in the day. He knew his role, was big and hefty, played tough defense, and took tremendous pride in being one of the best interior defenders in the PBA.”
Peña, a 6-foot-6 center, was a decent big man with a wide frame and played “junkyard dog” type of defense against taller opponents. He played for San Miguel Beermen from 2001 to 2011 winning 3 titles. He also played Barako Bull, Ginebra and Globalport.
The Fuel Masters have the No. 2 of the draft happening on September 7.
