Ginebra, Shell start pre-season matches

So the wheeling and dealing is almost over.

The stage is now set for the 10 PBA teams to determine how well they did improving on their respective rosters in preparation for the 2003 season.

That should provide more than enough interest in a series of pre-season exhibition games lined up by PBA Commissioners Office starting today with a road game between crowd favorite Ginebra Kings and the Shell Turbo Chargers.

The 5 o’clock encounter pitting two teams that underwent massive retooling during the off-season will take place at the Tarlac State University.

"This undertaking is part of our continued efforts to bring the games even more closer to our fans," said league commissioner Noli Eala.

"I’m sure this series of games will be just as exciting and definitely it will provide our fans a glimpse of what’s in store when the PBA opens on Feb. 23," Eala added.

Last season may not be encouraging for the Kings. But they appear to be a team to reckon with this year after signing up Rommel Adducul and Sunday Salvacion from the draft.

The Turbo Chargers, their 2002 season marred by an assortment of injuries to key players, are also expected to make a noise this season with the acquisition of versatile Eddie Laure and exciting Ronald Tubid.

After today’s game, the second stop of the league’s pre-season series goes to Marikina tomorrow featuring the FedEx Express and the Purefoods Hotdogs at 3:30 p.m.

Each of the 10 teams in the field will see action twice in the heavy pre-season schedule that will also hold games at De La Salle, Far Eastern University and Lyceum of the Philippines.