INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Barako Bull will be known as Barako Energy Coffee in the Fiesta Conference that starts this Sunday, hoping that the new name could lift the Energy Foods and Drinks Inc. franchise out of a two-year rut in the Philippine Basketball Association.

With a new coach and a bevy of between-tournament acquisitions, Barako Coffee will try to make it past the elimination round for the first time in more than two seasons and give the franchise back its once-lofty status in the league.

?With the changes we?ve had, we look forward to a highly competitive campaign in the coming PBA tourney,? said team owner George Chua, who less than three weeks ago came into a ?billboard advertising? partnership with Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero.

?We?re raring to improve on our poor showing in the recent Philippine Cup, determined to make good on the court and make an impact for the brand Barako Energy Coffee which we?re introducing to the public,? Chua added.

Junel Baculi will call the shots for the squad, which took in many players from the free agent market to provide ample support for import Sammy Monroe.

Jerwin Gaco, Rob Wainwright, Al Vergara and Christian Coronel now join Yousif Aljamal, Rob Reyes, Gilbert La?O, Jojo Duncil, Aris Dimaunahan, Leo Najorda, Ogie Menor, Chad Alonzo and Bryan Faundo in the lineup.

Raymond Celis is listed as assistant coach with the team while Leo Isaac has been elevated as team consultant. Jay Llanos Dee remains as team manager.

?We?ll give our best effort in each game we play,? said Raffy Casyao, the team?s representative to the PBA board. ?We intend to relive our winning tradition.?

The team joined the league in 2000 and has since won three championships as Red Bull with coach Yeng Guiao. Musong R. Castillo