Alaska battles Road Warriors

THE Alaska Aces, parading a virtually intact lineup but for the addition of one rookie, battle the revamped NLEX Road Warriors in the main game at 7 p.m.

In the appetizer, new look Mahindra goes toe-to-toe with reinforced GlobalPort at 4:15 p.m. to open the show.

These four teams get their baptismal of fire as they make their debut in the 2016-2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Last year’s runner-up Alaska opens its campaign with an intriguing test right away when they face the now Yeng Guiao-mentored NLEX. With the disappointment of last year’s finals meltdown still in their minds, the Aces vow to bounce back and have a solid run once again in the All-Filipino conference.

Alaska will parade an intact line-up that is still led by veterans Calvin Abueva, Sonny Thoss, Vic Manuel, Jvee Casio, Chris Banchero, Dondon Honveros and RJ Jazul, among others.

The Aces are hoping that the likes of Kevin Racal and Rome Dela Rosa can continue their growth and that rookie Carl Bryan Cruz can likewise be an asset for team success.

Following yet another disappointing season, the Road Warriors saw the need for a change as they surely did make waves by tapping the services of the multi-titled Guiao, who vowed to change the mindset of NLEX players.

“I’ll do my best to change the culture of this team and change it to a winning one slowly but surely,” said Guiao.

The fiery mentor will depend on key cogs Asi Taulava, Kevin Alas, Jonas Villanueva, Mac Baracael, Garvo Lanete and Enrico Villanueva. The Road Warriors are also looking to get more help from newcomers Carlo Lastimosa, Bradwyn Guinto and rookie Fonso Gotladera.

GlobalPort will more or less have the same core.

The Batang Pier will still rely on the prolific plays of star guards Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle but the two will now have more assistance from teammates.

GlobalPort will now have veteran point guard Mike Cortez, improved big man JR Quinahan and rookie sniper Von Pessumal in its lineup.

On the other hand, Mahindra will be showcasing an entirely different team from the batch that reached a fifth place finish in the Governors’ Cup last season.

The Floodbuster will no longer have Nino Canaelta, Aldrech Ramos, Bradwyn Guinto and Paolo Taha in the fold.

Only LA Revilla remained as the key cog in the team and he will now have to play with the likes of Alex Mallari, Ryan Arana and rookie Russell Escoto.