Chris Pacana

Monday, 31 August 2009
by Josef Ramos

THE Sta. Lucia Realtors have acquired the services of Chris Pacana and rookie undrafted Josh Urbiztondo to strengthen their backcourt for the coming Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 35th season.

Sta. Lucia mentor Boyet Fernandez, who steered the Realtors to first All-Filipino title in 2008, confirmed the news over the weekend, but he did not disclose the contract of the two players due to company’s policies.

“We acquired their (Chris and Josh) services to back-up Dennis Miranda at the point,” said Fernandez, who also confirmed that Mike Holper, Charles Waters, Jervy Del Rosario and Ardy Larong are still practicing with the team.

“I believe this rotation could match up well with the other PBA teams.”

He also said the addition of Urbiztondo and Pacana would most likely lessen the pressure on Ryan Reyes, the 2008 rookie of the year, and at the same he can now play the No. 2 spot or the shooting guard position.

Pacana, who averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists per game last season for Ginebra, started his career in the PBA when he was drafted by the Coca-Cola Tigers at 15th in the 2006 Rookie Draft.

Despite the lowest output last year due to the presence of playmakers Jayjay Helterbrand and Paul Artadi at the point, Pacana remained a consistent playmaker for the Gin Kings because of his court vision and floor leadership.

The dream Urbiztondo, who did not pick by any team in the league in the recent draft, to finally play for the big league has granted after Sta. Lucia Realty gave him a chance.

He played for Pharex Bidang Generix this year in the Philippine Basketball League and had a memorable game when he drilled in 19 points to force a rubber match against the Oracle Residence.

Besides the two guards, Fernandez informed that newly recruit Gabby Espinas is also improving his game with the Realtors every practice.

Photo Credits: staluciarealtor's Flickr

Just this morning, while on my way to work. I am thinking of when would I be able to create this post "Chris Pacana, a Realtor". Probably because a PBA friend had texted me, just asking what's going on with my life now.



And, what more could be filling my day by knowing that God had answered our prayers. Chris Pacana will now be suiting up for the Sta. Lucia Realtors. WOW! He'll be wearing a green jersey, my favorite color :D

Congratulations Chris! I know, whichever team you are, you will always make your fans proud. God Bless your career!

To all Chris Pacana fans, thank you for your prayers, we won't be missing Chris this conference. God Bless!

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Sta. Lucia Realty has high hopes for the coming PBA season with the return of main man Kelly Williams and the addition of new faces in the team led by Gabby Espinas.

Coach Boyet Fernandez expects Williams to be back in his old deadly form even before the opening of the new season in October.

“He’s a joy to watch him back on the playing court. He’s not yet 100 percent but he’s working double time to get there. I’m sure he’ll be ready come the season opening,” said Fernandez of Williams, who has recovered from a blood disorder problem.

According to the Sta. Lucia coach, another source of moroale-boost for the team is the minor rebuilding it has undertaken.

Espinas, a former NCAA MVP awardee acquired from Barako Bull, has boosted the team’s wing rotation while free agents Chris Pacana and Josh Urbiztondo have beefed up the backcourt.

“Actually, we’ve kept the core of our old lineup but we still lack the players to rotate in the middle,” said Fernandez.

Among the players being considered to fill up the posts are rookie free agents Francis Barcellano, Jervy del Rosario, Mark Benitez and Charles Waters.

“I’m interested in all of them. All four are workhorses. But the team has to consider the salary cap,” said Fernandez.

Barcellano, Del Rosario, Benitez and Waters have been attending the team practice, joining Williams, Espinas, Pacana, Urbiztondo, Paolo Mendoza, Marlou Aquino, Joseph Yeo, Bitoy Omolon and Denok Miranda.

Team captain Dennis Espino is nursing a knee injury while Ryan Reyes is in the United States, set to get married tomorrow.

Gone in the team are Christian Coronel, Norman Gonzales, Melvin Mamaclay and Philip Buttel.

Though losing Williams and Reyes in the closing phase of the Fiesta Conference, the Realtors finished with the fourth best cumulative win-loss record of 24-21 last season.

The Realtors bagged the Philippine Cup second runner-up trophy and placed fifth in the reinforced tourney.

There had been a lot of trades here and there lately. Paul Artadi had his homecoming with the Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) in exchange of Celino Cruz. On the other hand, I don't find it an itelligent move for PF to trade Enrico Villanueva and Rich Alvarez for Raffy Reavis. Rico is a giant in the paint while Rich can make threes. Nonetheless, the trade is done. Macky Escalona and Jun Jun Cabatu had been released by the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) management even before the Fiesta Cup Conference began (If I remember it right).

So, while all these trades and free agents crowd the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), I sit back since I heard no news about Chris Pacana. Well, I heard and received email that Chris, together with Macky and Jun Jun, is now a free agent. I don't believe it since PBA Online have not mentioned Chris being involved in such release. Then, another PBA friend asked me if Chris is really trying out with Sta. Lucia Realtors (SLR).

That question made me shocked for a while. So, I have to confirm the "rumor" from the Pacanas. And unfortunately, disappointingly, sadly, or whaterver lonely feeling I can relate to it, the "rumor" is not a "rumor" but a "fact".

YES, BGK (Jhong Uichico) did not renew Chris' contract, making him a free agent. And since Chris' passion is basketball, he is not giving up.
He is currently trying out with SLR.

Now, to all Chris' supporters out there, please say a li'l prayer for him, for his career. And to Chris, like what I always tell you, "May God Bless your career!"