Members of the oldest and winningest franchise of the Philippine Basketball Associations recently paid a courtesy call on San Miguel Brewery Inc. president Roberto Huang as they again stepped into the hard court carrying the iconic brand in the ongoing Commissioner's Cup, press release from SMBI said.

Huang challenged the BiboyRavanes-mentored beermen to work and play hard, and echoed the mandate of San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang for them to stay true to the San Miguel brand that is synonymous to brewing excellence.

He gave each of the players and coaching staff San Miguel Pale Pilsen Bilib Cans and expressed confidence that they will work hard for the team that would carry the “SamahangWalangKatulad” equity, win or lose.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen'sBilib campaign is a unique project to celebrate everyday successes, admiration and uplift the sense of pride of anyone giving or receiving the special beer in can with a writeable space, the press release said.

Huang cited the Beermen's top center and the recent conference's Best Player June Mar Fajardo and expressed his good wishes to the player who will soon start training with the National Team for the country's comeback to the world basketball map via the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Barcelona, Spain later this year.

All the players and coaching staff received from Huang messages in a can telling how he and the fans look up to them.

The return of San Miguel Beermen was announced by Ang, who said that it comes in time for the 25th anniversary of the team's Grand Slam feat in 1989 where it swept all three conferences. The San Miguel franchise has won 19 championships to date. Ang added that the “management expects more championships with the new generation of hardworking and talented players and coaching staff, the press release said.

For the 2014 Commissioner's Cup and the team's fresh mandate as San Miguel Beermen, the franchise is powered by Junemar “Abai” Fajardo (15); Ronald Tubid (71); Solomon “Sol” Mercado; Douglas “Doug” Kraemer (18); Chico Lanete (26); Marcio Lassiter (13); Chris Ross (6); Christopher “Chris” Lutz (28); YousefTaha (28); Arwind Santos (29); Paul Rico “Rico” Maierhofer (1); Paolo “Pau” Hubalde (12); Joselito “Jojo” Duncil (11); and Samuel Joseph “Tata” Marata (16.

The team will still be managed by Gee Abanilla, with 1st Assistant Coach and Consultant John Todd Purves and Assistant Coaches David “Boysie” Zamar, Riel Banaria, Peter Martin, and Alfonso “Dayong” Mendoza, the press release added.*

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