No longer Llamados, Mixers target PH Cup

A NEW name but the same old winning formula.

That’s how San Mig Coffee hopes its new season will play out when the Mixers, formerly the B-Meg Llamados, kick off their bid in the PBA Philippine Cup which starts Sunday.

“We’re really looking at winning the All-Filipino because it’s truly the crown jewel,” said San Mig coach Tim Cone, who steered the franchise to the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown last summer.

“We’re not where we want to be at the point of season since we started later than everybody, but we’re confident we’ll get things going.”

San Mig Coffee formally unveiled its new team name in a grand launch on Monday night at 1 Esplanade in Pasay City, where the team officials and players vowed to lead the squad to a 10th overall title.

“We had a good year last year, but not a great year,” said Cone. “We’re hoping this year we can bring a little bit of greatness. Whether it’s Purefoods, Tender Juicy Hotdog, Coney Island or B-Meg, we’re here to win for the brand, for the organization and the fans.”

Two-time MVP James Yap spearheads the Mixers’ bid anew along with Marc Pingris and Peter June Simon.

“The mission is to keep the tradition of winning, excellence and fair play that made us a force to reckon with in the PBA,” said San Miguel Pure Foods Company president Francisco Alejo III.

Rookie big men Aldrech Ramos, Jewel Ponferada and Gian Chiu also join the veteran cast of JC Intal, Joe Devance, Mark Barroca, Wesley Gonzales, Jonas Villanueva, Rafi Reavis, Yancy de Ocampo, Chris Pacana, Ken Bono and Mike Burtscher.