IT’S a new season and a fresh start for NLEX and Terrafirma.
Which team will emerge with a fast start in its campaign will be known today when the Road Warriors and the Dyip collide in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The curtain-raiser is set at 3 o’clock before Phoenix and San Miguel Beer, which bolstered their rosters via trades last Monday, square off in the nightcap at 6 p.m.
The Fuel Masters acquired versatile forward Javee Mocon from Rain or Shine in exchange for Nick Demusis and their first-round pick next year and a second-round selection in 2024 in a trade approved by the PBA yesterday.
Mocon will team up with the likes of Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins, Sean Anthony, and RJ Jazul.
Robbie Herndon signed a one-year extension with Converge but was promptly shipped to the Beermen.
The FiberXers got SMB’s second-round picks in 2023 and 2024.
NLEX coach Yeng Guiao sees his charges’ semifinals stint in the last Governors Cup as a big boost.
“We can’t wait to get started. We are totally excited and ready to compete,” Guiao said.
“Everyone is healthy and looking forward to a fruitful conference. Our previous semis experience gives us a lot of hope and confidence.”
But Guiao admitted they will be tested by Terrafirma.
“We are fully aware that Terrafirma is fully stacked and healthy as well,” Guiao said. “We are bracing ourselves for a tight and rugged opening game.”
With ace guard Kiefer Ravena still trying to reach an agreement with the pro league, the Road Warriors will pin their hopes on Kevin Alas, JR Quiñahan, Don Trollano, and a healthy Calvin Oftana.
Terrafirma wound up 11th in the season-ending tourney but Dyip tactician Johnedel Cardel is not one to dwell in the past.
“Maganda ine-ensayo namin. Nag-concentrate kami sa depensa namin,” Cardel said. “Sa mga ine-ensayo namin, mga tune-up games, nakita namin mga weaknesses namin kaya we worked on those.”
Even without Ravena, Cardel acknowledged they will have their hands full against NLEX.
“Magaling sila, fluid ang opensa, kaya kailangan i-disrupt namin ang execution nila. On our end, sa last conference usually maganda ini-start namin sa game pero kinakapos sa huli,” Cardel said. “Kaya kailangan ma-sustain namin game namin and lahat ng 15 players namin mag-contribute.”
