source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph
Chris Ross gets his baptism of fire as he locks horns with two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Willie Miller when Coca-Cola battles Alaska on September 25 at the start of preseason action in the 35th season of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Besides Ross, the former Philippine Basketball League MVP and No. 3 pick in the Rookie Draft, the Tigers will be parading 14-year veteran Dennis Espino, who was acquired from Sta. Lucia Realty, in the 6 p.m. encounter at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Espino was shipped to Coca-Cola by Sta. Lucia Realty in exchange for forward Jason Misolas and a future draft pick.
The Aces have the most intact roster coming into the Philippine Cup, which starts on October 11 at the Araneta Coliseum. Alaska finished runner-up to Talk ’N Text in the All-Filipino tourney.
Sister teams Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, meanwhile, square off on September 26 in Urdaneta, Pangasinan, at 4 p.m.
The Beermen are labeled as heavy favorites in the coming tournament after beefing up their already-talented roster with former Burger King Whopper Arwind Santos and Sta. Lucia playmaker Denok Miranda.
Ex-Ateneo teammates Rico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia are the only key additions on the Kings roster with main man Mark Caguioa returning after sitting out the last season because of tendinitis.
Also playing on September 26 are Burger King and Purefoods Tender Juicy in Concepcion, Tarlac, also at 4 p.m.
The game could have been a matchup featuring the top two picks in the draft but Japeth Aguilar remains in limbo. Aguilar, the No. 1 overall selection, turned down Burger King’s three-year, P8.7-million offer.
The Giants have No. 2 overall pick Rico Maierhofer, who, according to team manager Rene Pardo, has been impressive in their tune-up games.
Barako Bull and Rain or Shine face off on September 28 at the Arellano University Gym at 2 p.m. On the same day at 4 p.m., Sta. Lucia plays defending All-Filipino champion Talk ‘N Text at the Lyceum University.
The Tropang Texters are trying to become the first team since Great Taste in 1984 and 1985 to defend the All-Filipino title. The team will be coming off a stint in Serbia.
Espino gets a chance to meet his former team as Coke collides with the Realtors on October 1 at the Pasig Catholic School. The game is set at 2:30 p.m.
Santos will also meet his former team Burger King when San Miguel clash with the Whopper on October 2 at the Rizal Technological University Gymnasium at 4 p.m.
San Beda College hosts the encounter between Ginebra and the Energy Boosters on October 3 at 4 p.m.
Two more pre-season matches have been scheduled, featuring Talk ‘N Text and Rain or Shine on September 29 and Alaska versus Purefoods on October 4 but the league is still finalizing the venues.
According to PBA operations chief Rickie Santos, each team is allowed to field a maximum of 18 players in a pre-season game as this also serves as a tryout for those who have yet to sign contracts.
No comments:
Post a Comment