AFTER being derailed by Typhoon Lando, the Philippine Basketball Association-Philippine Cup finally unfolds today.
The league’s 41st season officially opens with no less than two perennial contenders going at each other’s throat to open hostilities at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Former champions Star and Rain or Shine battle at 7 p.m. today, right after a two-hour opening ceremony slated at 5 p.m. aimed at bringing back the fans who are expected to come in droves after a three-day postponement because of inclement weather brought about by Typhoon Lando. As in past openings, the ceremony will feature the traditional parade of teams with their respective muses
The Star Hotshots will start this season’s campaign minus head coach Tim Cone, and will have former assistant Jason Webb taking on the top coaching job.
The rookie coach, however, said his team’s hunger is one of its biggest assets heading into the season as they try to reclaim lost glory.
“If we have a positive thing going for us, it is that these players are hungry. We’re one full season away from that Grand Slam in 2014, so expect our players to be championship hungry coming in,’’ said Webb.
Also gone from the Star’s line-up is versatile forward Joe Devance, who joined Cone at Ginebra San Miguel, but the Hotshots retained most of the core players, who had won titles for the team in James Yap, Marc Pingris, Peter June Simon, Mark Barroca, Alex Mallari, Justin Melton and Rafi Reavis and the returning Ian Sangalang.
The Hotshots are also expected to get key contributions from rookie big man Norbert Torres and capable forwards Jake and Ronald Pascual.
While Star underwent some drastic changes, Rain or Shine did minor tinekring in an attempt to contend better and enhance its chances of finally bagging that elusive second championship.
The Elasto Painters will once again rely on longtime weapons Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Jireh Ibanes, Beau Belga, JR Quinahan, and Chris Tiu, alongside rising big man Raymund Almazan, Jericho Cruz and Jeric Teng.
They will be joined by new acquisition Jewel Ponferrada, who will add more ceiling to the team, No. 3 overall pick Maverick Ahanmisi and his fellow first-rounder newbie Josan Nimes, who will join the team once his stint with Mapua ends in the ongoing NCAA tournament.
Meanwhile, the PBA vowed to donate all the proceeds from this opening playdate to the victims of typhoon Lando.
“We in the PBA feel for our countrymen who have been affected by the storm,’’ said PBA chairman Robert Non in a statement.
Game today
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
5 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
7 p.m. – Star vs. Rain or Shine
