MERALCO failed to live up to expectations the last time out, while Rain or Shine, under returning coach Yeng Guiao, barely made it to the playoffs.
Parading comebacking reinforcements for the PBA Governors Cup, the two squads are seeking a fast start to their respective campaigns in a bid to turn things around.
Which team will succeed in its initial goal will be known when the Bolts and Elasto Painters clash Sunday as the season-ending tourney gets going at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The match kicking off the pro league’s new conference is set at 4:30 p.m.
NorthPort, which reportedly tapped Letran tactician Bonnie Tan as new strategist in lieu of Pido Jarencio who will be the Batang Pier’s new team manager, faces Converge in the nightcap at 6:45.
A perennial contender in import-spiced tilts, Meralco groped for form in the last Commissioner’s Cup with original choice Johnny O’Bryant III before KJ McDaniels took over.
But the Bolts still fell short in their drive to reach the quarterfinals and wound up with a 4-8 slate for 10th.
Called up to beef up Meralco anew, McDaniels will be counted upon by coach Norman Black along with Allein Maliksi, Bong Quinto, Raymond Almazan, Cliff Hodge, Chris Banchero, Aaron Black, and Chris Newsome to deliver.
Rain or Shine trounced NLEX 110-100 in a knockout playoff duel for the last quarterfinals berth.
But foreign guest team and eventual bridesmaid Bay Area showed the door on the Painters with a runaway 126-96 victory.
The Terry Que and Raymond Yu co-owned Rain or Shine five will parade former NorthPort reinforcement Michael Qualls.
The 6-foot-4 Qualls helped the eighth-ranked Batang Pier negate top seed NLEX’s twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals before bowing to Ginebra in the semifinals of the same meet in 2019.
Aside from Qualls, the Painters will pin their hopes on Rey Nambatac, Anton Asistio, Leonard Santillan, Gian Mamuyac, Andrei Caracut, Gabe Norwood, and Beau Belga.
The FiberXers appeared to be a title contender last conference after going on a seven-game winning streak but lost their last two matches of the eliminations and finished with an 8-4 mark for fourth.
Converge then lost to San Miguel Beer 0-2 in their quarterfinals battle.
The FiberXers shipped wingman Allyn Bulanadi to NorthPort for guard Jerrick Balanza, tactician Aldin Ayo’s former player in Letran while also giving away guards Mike DiGregorio and RK llagan, and forward Tyrus Hill to Blackwater for Bossing big man Barkley Eboña and their first-round selection in this year’s proceedings.
Converge has linked up with Ethan Rusbatch, a member of the New Zealand Tall Blacks, who beat Gilas Pilipinas twice in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers last year.
Rusbatch, Jeron Teng, Aljun Melecio, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Justin Arana will carry the fight for the FiberXers.
The Batang Pier compiled a 6-6 card in the Commissioner’s Cup for sixth and lost to the Kings 0-2 in their quarterfinals duel.
Aside from Bulanadi, NorthPort also got former No. 1 pick overall Joshua Munzon from Terrafirma in exchange for wingman Kevin Ferrer.
The Batang Pier will rely on import Marcus Weathers, Robert Bolick, Roi Sumang, Arvin Tolentino, Will Navarro, and Munzon.
