SMB, Shell debut today

San Miguel Beer and Shell Velocity, the two most successful teams last season, take their turn to open their campaign in the PBA Silver Season when they go up against separate rivals tonight at the Philsports Arena.

The Beermen, who won the 1999 Commissioner's and the Governors' Cups and who are out to chase a record 14th championship in the league, begin their quest when they take on old rival Purefoods Hotdogs at 7:30 p.m.

The Zoom Masters, meanwhile, start their title-retention bid in the Alaxan All-Filipino Cup as they clash with the Alaska Milkmen in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser.

Shell is the reigning champion but San Miguel sets out the top pick in the season-opening tournament considering the ballclub's strong finish last season and the fact that coach Jong Uichico kept its formidable, youthful lineup intact.

The Beermen won 30 of their last 38 games last campaign and closed out the season with a league best record of 35 wins against 20 losses.

The question is whether the team continues to work well with American team consultant Ron Jacobs moving out of its camp to act as consultant at Ginebra.

"We have great chemistry and we will try to take advantage of that. The players already know their roles and it is just a matter of getting into good shape," said Uichico.

Uichico also hinted at Danny Seigle staying as the team's focal point with Danny Ildefonso their top option at the posts. Seigle averaged a season third-best 19.2 points while Ildefonso 12.9 points last year.

To start their campaign for a third straight championship, the Beermen will be up against a Purefoods team which is hopeful of a bright season following its acquisition of hitman Noy Castillo.

Purefoods coach Derrick Pumaren is optimistic Castillo will plug their hole in the wings, allowing main man Alvin Patrimonio to move back to power forward spot.

"We are a veteran team and I think our experience will help us a lot. We may not be as talented as other teams on paper but you cannot fully underestimate us," said Pumaren.

In the first game, the question is how the Zoom Masters fare with key players Castillo and Vic Pablo now gone.

"No doubt, we gave away very good players in Vic Pablo and Noy Castillo. Our chemistry will suffer a bit but we did manage to add young legs to the team and we also became taller. I think that's good for us. We just have to shoot consistently in order to be competitive," said Shell coach Perry Ronquillo, whose new recruits are Mark Telan Brixter Encarnacion, former MBA player Art del Rosario and Fil-Am find Anthony dela Cruz.

Versus Alaska, Shell will find Kenneth Duremdes, Johnny Abarrientos, Bong Hawkins, Edward Juinio and Don Allado backed up by former Mobiline Phone Pal Bryan Gahol and amateur pick Glenn Peter Yap.

"We added some youth into our lineup. We have a lot of young players with fresh legs but at the same time, we still have our veterans. We do not expect things to be smooth sailing. We expect a few problems and struggles, especially at the start while we are trying to jell," said Alaska coach Tim Cone.