With three new recruits and two returning players, Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio believe they have already plugged the holes that stymied their bid last season.

Still, Gregorio said his team remains a work in progress.

“The plan was really to be competitive in the coming conference in terms of manpower upgrade,” Gregorio said shortly after the team’s practice session last Wednesday in preparation for the season-opening Philippine Cup starting October 11.

“Although, at this point, it’s too early to tell and I don’t want to put tremendous pressure on our team. Our team is still a work in progress,” he added.

The last time the Giants won a conference title was during the Philippine Cup 2006, where Gregorio’s team bested the Red Bull Barakos (now Barako Bull) in a seven-game epic encounter. It was the team’s seventh overall title, and fourth in an all-Filipino tournament.

In the Philippine Cup two years, Purefoods reached the Finals but lost to Sta. Lucia Realty in a thrilling seventh game of the series.

The Giants overhauled their roster in the off-season, acquiring the services of veteran forward Mark Jean Pingris and point guard Paul Artadi, who both played for Gregorio during their last title run three years ago.

Purefoods got the 6-foot-5 Pingris from Burger King, while Artadi was shipped by Ginebra together with Rafi Reavis and rookie Chris Timberlake – with the Whopper as conduit – in exchange for Rico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, and Paolo Bugia.

Gregorio also picked second overall former La Salle stalwart Rico Maierhofer from the previous PBA Rookie Draft.

The addition of the 6-foot-8 Reavis and the 6-foot-6 Maierhofer boosted the frontline of Purefoods powered by mainstay Kerby Raymundo, while Artadi and Timberlake’s arrival will only improve the team’s backcourt rotation.

By rejoining Purefoods, Artadi is reunited with former University of the East teammate James Yap. Together, the two are best known in the PBA as the “Thunder” (Yap) and “Lightning” (Artadi) for their run-and-gun style of play.

Gregorio said that they may have added new players, but to be successful, they have to have the chemistry.

“In as much as we are younger, taller and more athletic this conference, there are a lot of things that should be addressed, primarily our chemistry,” Gregorio said.

“(Fiesta Cup champion) San Miguel Beer and (defending champion) Talk ’N Text are oozing with talented players. They are definitely seeded higher than us,” he added.