A new squad — the Titan Ultra Giant Risers — will compete for honors in 50th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), beginning with the Philippine Cup.
The team, which will be among the 12 ball clubs playing, will be known as the Titan Maxx, to be coached by Johnedel Cardel,
Featuring Pureblend Corporation’s product line of juices, coffee and beauty items, Titan Maxx will debut on Oct. 8 against the Meralco Bolts at 5:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo — three days after the 50th season begins this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The NorthPort Batang Pier franchise was transferred to the Risers two weeks ago following talks held during the PBA Annual Meeting. The agreement was formalized on Tuesday evening.
Calvin Abueva, Joshua Munzon, and Fran Yu are among the holdovers of the Batang Pier franchise, along with new talents like Von Pessumal, Jeo Ambohot, and rookie Chris Koon. They will also have Jerrick Balanza, Damie Cuntapay, and James Kwekuteye.
“The committee went through a process. But it was a deliberate and thorough assessment. Hindi siya matagal na proseso,” said PBA governor Atty. Raymond Zorilla.
The board, according to Zorilla, also accepted University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers’ head coach Pido Jarencio as the board representative of Terrafirma Dyip.
Five coaches will debut this season, including Pampanga vice governor Delta Pineda for the Converge Fiber Xers, Magnolia’s playing coach LA Tenorio, Willie Wilson for the Phoenix Fuel Masters, and Terrafirma’s Ronald Tubid.
Sunday’s opening game will have the Magnolia Timplados Hotshots facing the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings at 7:30 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.
This season, the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup will feature best-of-seven semifinals and finals.
There will be no playoff for eighth spot at the end of the eliminations.
A pocket tournament involving foreign teams may be held during the 40-day break when the Governors’ Cup steps aside for the Asian Games next year.
