WHO else but the same combatants.
Most PBA team governors agreed that teams from San Miguel Corporation and Manny V. Pangilinan bloc loom as the favorites in the season-opening Governors’ Cup coming off the wraps this Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Of course, the MVP teams TNT, the defending champion, Meralco, and NLEX and the SMC crews such as San Miguel Beer, Ginebra, and Magnolia will always be contenders there for the championship,” Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales said last Wednesday during the season launch at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila in Mandaluyong.
Added Rain or Shine counterpart Atty. Mamerto Mondragon: “Tulad ng dati, iyong malalaking teams tulad ng Ginebra, San Miguel, TNT.
“At siyempre, iyong bago nating kampeon, Meralco, iyan ang mga magdo-dominate.”
The Hotshots’ representative, Rene Pardo, is excited to see his squad’s import Glenn Robinson III, a former NBA slam dunk champion in 2017 and son of former top pick Glenn, show his high-flying game in Asia’s pioneering pro league.
“The fans will be in for a grand game every time he’s on the court,” Pardo said.
Kings executive Alfrancis Chua pointed to Blackwater with Rikcy Ledo as the Bossing’s reinforcement as one of the teams to watch out.
“Watching the practice games, kapag kinukuha ko iyong mga videos, isang magandang panoorin na team ngayon is Blackwater,” Chua said. “They’ve got a very good import, they have tall players, and they have a good point guard.”
But for PBA chairman and Tropang Giga governor Ricky Vargas, it’s a wide-open battle.
“Who is the favorite? I think this time everybody has a better chance,” he said.
The Bolts, who ruled the last Philippine Cup for their maiden title, face the Hotshots in the lone tiff at 7:30 p.m. after the opening ceremonies and the Leo Awards.
The Governors’ Cup, usually the season-ending meet, will be the first conference of the 49th season to be followed by the Commissioner’s Cup and will wind up with the prestigious Philippine Cup, just in time for the PBA’s milestone 50th anniversary in April next year.
The Govs’ Cup will also feature the return of the old two-group format that was last held in the import-less joust in 2014.
Battle-scared Kings reinforcement Justin Brownlee and Meralco counterpart Allen Durham, along with Aaron Fuller of the Elasto Painters, banner the returning reinforcements.
Also present during the press conference were Atty. Bill Pamintuan (Meralco), Archen Cayabyab (Converge), Ronald Dulatre (NLEX), Robert Non (SMB), Atty. Raymond Zorilla (Phoenix), who is also Board treasurer, Eric Arejola (Northport), and Silliman Sy (Blackwater).
PBA chief Willie Marcial was joined by TV5 COO Dino Laurena, and Rafael Vicencio, top executive of ArenaPlus.
