Four more teams make 2019 Philippine Cup debut
THE young proceedings in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup continue today with four more teams making their tournament debut.
Set to be played at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, action in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association tournament today will have defending champions San Miguel Beermen, Columbian Dyip, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and NLEX Road Warriors taking the PBA hardwood for the just-started season for the first time.
The Beermen collide with the Dyip in the 4:30 p.m. curtainraiser while the Elasto Painters and Road Warriors battle in the 7 p.m. main game.
San Miguel will begin its title defense with added firepower with the arrival of three-time league scoring champion Terrence Romeo, who will join forces with the already-solid core of the Beermen led by five-time PBA most valuable player June Mar Fajardo.
Also part of the Beermen now are the do-it-all Paul Zamar and veteran Ronald Tubid, who the team acquired from various trades in the offseason.
Hailed by the field once again as the team to beat in the AllFilipino, San Miguel coach Leo Austria said they welcome such a challenge but underscored that they have to put in the needed work to succeed in it.
“We have a talented team but talent is not enough to win a championship. We need a lot of hard work and it is a challenge that we are now working on,” said Mr. Austria, whose team is gunning a fifth straight Philippine Cup title.
Columbian, for its part, is parading the top overall rookie pick in the 2018 draft in National Collegiate Athletic Association standout CJ Perez.
The Dyip hope that Mr. Perez, along with other rookie picks JP Calvo and Jeepy Faundo, could help turn things around for the franchise, which had an overall record of 6-27 for the entire 2018 PBA season.
E-PAINTERS
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine tries to kick off their campaign on the right foot, banking on a rejig system of more balanced attack with help from new bloods Jayvee Mocon and Jayjay Alejandro.
“The ball movement [this time around] is a lot different from the past. We rely so much on the two-man game, but this time, it will be different. We’ve been doing that for the last three or four weeks, and they just try to enjoy and understand the new system. Basically, everybody has a chance to score, get their touches and just enjoy,” said Elasto Painters coach Caloy Garcia in the lead-up to the new system.
Rain or Shine will no longer have the services of Chris Tiu, who has decided to retire, but will have its veteran core teaming up with young up-and-comers.
Also aiming to make a go at a good start is NLEX, which is being boosted with the addition of highly improved big man JP Erram and the return of guard Kevin Alas.
Mr. Erram is seen boosting the front court of the Road Warriors following a stellar season with the Blackwater Elite last year that earned for him a second mythical team selection while Mr. Alas is set to strengthen the team’s backcourt in the continued absence of FIBAsuspended Kiefer Ravena. —