Undermanned Bolts clash vs retooled Elite today

D2

MERALCO enters the game with a slim lineup as it collide against Blackwater in the opener of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Bolts, back-to-back Governors’ court,” said Black, whose team finished Cup finalists, and the Elite, face off at 3-8 in last season’s Philippine Cup. 4:15 p.m. to be followed by the match To make up for the absence of De between TNT KaTropa and Rain or Ocampo and Hodge, the Bolts signed Shine at 7 in the evening. up Nino Canaleta, Jason Ballesteros,

Meralco head coach Normal Black Mac Baracael and Nico Salva as will be missing the services of big men frontline reinforcement. Ranidel de Ocampo and Cliff Hodge The Elite have an axe to grind as both are still nursing injuries when against Meralco as they lost to the they take on the retooled Blackwater same team in the quarterfinal round squad of mentor Leo Isaac. of the Governors’ Cup last season.

“We will start the season a little un“We want to have a good start in dermanned because Ranidel (De this conference and we are going all Ocampo) and Cliff (Hodge) will be out out for a win in our game against because of injuries. But we are still exMeralco,” said Isaac, who will parade cited about the start of the PBA season rookies Raymar Jose, the third overall and we’re looking forward to being pick, Renz Palma and Kyle Neypes. much more competitive this All-FiliMeanwhile, the Elasto Painters are facpino conference. And to be successful, ing the same predicament as the Bolts as we will continue to put a lot of emthe former won’t have Jericho Cruz and phasis on the defensive end of the Anthony Washington against KaTropa.

“Only having Rey Nambatac as a new acquisition, we should be banking on familiarity and I expect other players to step up because the other players are nursing injuries,” said Garcia, noting that TNT is a huge test for the Elasto Painters since it is one of the teams to beat this season.

The KaTropa, who spent their off season preparation playing against Lithuanian teams early this month, see Ginebra and defending champion San Miguel Beer as teams to beat in the Philippine Cup. But TNT coach Nash Racela disagreed. “Rain or Shine is playing well based on its preseason preparations and we hope to counter that with a lot of effort and toughness,” said Racela, who will parade rookie Sidney Onwubere.