One new ballclub. One comebacking coach. Two rookie mentors. Eighteen new faces from the amateurs. Five returning old faces. Nineteen veterans wearing new uniform. And a brand of game that will only
be better.
These are what’s in store for the fans as the Philippine Basketball Association opens shop with its 38th season Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Newcomer GlobalPort makes its PBA debut right on opening day, clashing with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the crowd darling that is considered among the major contenders in the 2012-13 wars.
Global Port is bringing in the core of the Powerade team plus new acquisitions Willie Miller, Mark Yee, Marvin Cruz, Vic Manuel, Angelus Raymundo, Alfred Mandani and Jason Deutchman, who will all answer to the baton of coach Glenn Capacio.
Ginebra itself tweaked its roster, acquiring LA Tenorio and Elmer Espiritu through trades and Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen through the draft exercise.
Most of the other teams also underwent some lineup facelifting, bringing out a better competitive balance that makes the new season anybody’s game.
“The fans have clearly spoken. They want fast-paced games and balanced competition among all 10 teams. Are we there? Not yet, but we’re getting there. You could see the likes of Barako, Air21 and Meralco who’ll be up there. Everything points to a very successful season,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud during the official launch of the 38th PBA season at the Diamond Hotel in Manila Wednesday.
“Our product is the game and the game is our product. We’ll continue striving to make our product to the liking of our fans,” Salud also said.
Also present in the affair were board chairman Robert Non, vice chairman Mon Segismundo, treasurer Ely Capacio, Air21’s Lito Alvarez, GlobalPort’s Eric Arejola, Talk n Text’s Patrick Gregorio, Barako’s Manny Alvarez, Rain or Shine’s Andy Jao, San Mig Coffee’s Rene Pardo and TV5’s Bobby Barreiro and Vito Lazatin.
Lazatin promises a show to remember during the opening rites where among those serving as muses are Anne Curtis for San Mig Coffee, Isabel Daza for Petron Blaze, Georgina Wilson for Ginebra, Sam Pinto for GlobalPort, Alice Dixson for Talk n Text, the current Miss Earth for Air21, a Brazilian model for Barako Bull and Artista Academy talents for Meralco.
The league governors gamely made their assessment of the rosters, pointing to Talk n Text and Petron Blaze still as the forces to reckon with.
Norman Black is taking over from Chot Reyes to hold the reins at Talk n Text, and the 10-time champion coach has opted to keep their lineup as they chase a third straight Philippine Cup crown.
Olsen Racela, meanwhile, is stepping in lieu of Ato Agustin at Petron Blaze which undoubtedly has become more formidable with the addition of top draft acquisitions Junmar Fajardo and Alex Mallari.
The other teams, however, believe they’ve done their assignments that they’re sending a fair warning – don’t take us lightly.
“All the ballclubs are quite competitive but I’ll be lying if I don’t say San Mig Coffee is up there,” said Pardo.
“The three SMC teams are tough, but we’ll be a contender with our acquisitions,” said Lito Alvarez, upbeat with their roster now also featuring John Wilson, Noy Baclao, KG Canaleta, Rob Reyes and rookies Yousif Taha and Simon Atkins.
“Petron and San Mig Coffee are tough by my gut feel is that Rain or Shine will be there,” said Gregorio.
“Talk n Text, Petron and San Mig Coffee look pretty tough, but don’t count out Barako,” said Manny Alvarez.
“The league has achieved a good competitive level and it’s going to be a very interesting all-Filipino tourney. It’s anybody’s game but the major contenders are Talk n Text with its intact lineup, Rain or Shine which now has championship experience and Petron once it gets the proper blend,” said Capacio.
“All the teams are contenders. It’s a matter of getting their core together,” said Jao. (SB)
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