Beermen sign free agents Mike Canete, Jeepy Faundo to one-year deals

San Miguel completed its roster for the upcoming PBA Season 47 by picking up two youngsters from the free agency pool.

Jeepy Faundo and Mike Canete both came to terms with the league’s winningest franchise and will fill-up the 13th and 14th spots just in time for the opening on Sunday, June 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen embark on their their mission to regain the Philippine Cup crown on Wednesday, June 8 against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.

SMB team manager Gee Abanilla confirmed the signing of Faundo and Canete to one-year deals.

“They tried out with us. Wala kasi kaming first and second round picks [during the rookie draft],” said Abanilla on Tuesday.

The Leo Austria-mentored squad only got to pick starting the 3rd round and settled for Jerwyn Guinto at number 33. The team then chose Lyndon Colina, John Gonzaga, and CJ Cadua in the succeeding rounds.

None of the draftees, however, made it to the final line-up.

Faundo, younger brother of former Meralco and Alaska big man Bryan Faundo, played for UST in college and spent his first two seasons with Terrafirma before reuniting with college mentor Pido Jarencio at NorthPort. He, however, was used sparingly and was eventually relegated to the Batang Pier’s 3×3 squad.

Canete, meanwhile, is a product of Arellano University and was a 3rd round pick of the Meralco Bolts during the 2019 draft. He saw action in just 9 games for the MVP-owned franchise and was subsequently released.

The two will join a stacked SMB team led by June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Mo Tautuaa, CJ Perez, Jericho Cruz and Terrence Romeo.