Drawing first blood

All eyes are on the two teams that will square off in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season opener at the Big Dome tonight. Alaska battles Sta. Lucia Realty in the All-Filipino Cup curtain raiser that promises to be a humdinger.

There are 10 solid reasons why there couldn’t be a more exciting faceoff to start the year’s hostilities.

First, the Captain Marbel factor. After a 5 1/2-year career at Alaska, 1978 MVP Kenneth Duremdes was traded to Sta. Lucia in a blockbuster offseason deal that was announced on Draft Day last month. How Duremdes will play against his former team is the subject of much speculation. Is he out to prove something to coach Tim Cone? Is he comfortable playing with new teammates Marlou Aquino and Dennis Espino? Will he shoot it out against John Arigo? While Duremdes switched from Alaska to Sta. Lucia, reserve center Richard del Rosario went the other way–from Sta. Lucia to Alaska–but he’ll start the season in the injured list.

Second, the Fil-Am factor. There are 10 Fil-Ams with overseas playing experience in Alaska’s 14-man lineup–Don Allado, Mike Cortez, Brandon Cablay, Jon Ordonio, Eugene Tejada, Arigo, Ali Peek, Migs Noble, Rob Duat and Alvin Castro. There is no Fil-Am in Sta. Lucia’s roster. Cone insists there was no conscious effort to recruit Fil-Ams. He says he picked the best available players to suit his system, regardless of where they came from. As for Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, he couldn’t care less about ethnic backgrounds. Basketball is a sport that recognizes only playing ability–no color, no creed. Still, the distinction is as clear as night and day. Tonight’s game is almost like a gang war between trash-talking, slam-dunking Fil-Ams and smooth-playing, hot-shooting homegrown boys.

Third, the center factor. Alaska’s E. J. Feihl and Aquino used to be partners at Ginebra. Now, they’re fierce rivals. Feihl and Aquino are the league’s tallest towers. They’re almost meant for each other–two giants in a battle for supremacy. Feihl is a ferocious shot-blocker while Aquino is more offense-minded. Who will dominate whom?

Fourth, the rookie factor. Alaska is bringing in four rookies–Cortez, Cablay, Tejada and Stephen Padilla. Sta. Lucia’s freshmen are Leo Bat-og, Jomar Tierra and Paeng Santos. Man for man, the Aces rookies are superior. Cortez and Cablay were first round picks this year. They’re expected to play major roles in Alaska’s scheme of things this year. And why not? Cortez is the floor leader whom Cone has been looking for since Johnny Abarrientos’ exit and Cablay is a high-leaping fireball who’s being touted as the next Mark Caguioa. Tejada was tapped in the second round and Padilla, the third. Bat-og was the Realtors’ second round choice while Tierra and Santos came in as free agents. Although Alaska appears to enjoy the edge in rookie talent, the downside is experience will make the difference in a close game. Chua’s advantage is he’s got the veterans who know what it’s like to play under pressure.

Fifth, the coaching factor. Cone likes to play deliberate and puts a premium on precise execution in the halfcourt. He’s a Tex Winter disciple of the triangle offense. Chua, in contrast, is known for his run-and-gun, up-tempo style. Will Cone’s defense put a damper on Chua’s offense?

Sixth, the motivation factor. Alaska is hungry for another title. Last year, the Aces played in two finals but were bridesmaids twice over. Cone hasn’t won a title for the franchise since the 2000 All-Filipino Cup. In the ’90s, Alaska won nine championships, making it the winningest franchise that decade. But if Alaska is hungry, Sta. Lucia is hungrier. Since entering the league in 1993, the Realtors have claimed only one crown-the 2001 Governors Cup. Last season, Sta. Lucia failed to play in a single semifinals and posted a forgettable 17-18 record. Alaska improved from 23-23 the previous year to 31-28.

Seventh, the addition factor. Aside from rookies, both teams beefed up their lineups with veteran recruits. Sta. Lucia grabbed the biggest fish in the sea, Duremdes, and added the comebacking Jason Webb, Allan Yu, and Wilmer Ong. Webb and Yu played for Chua at Tanduay so they’re not strangers to his up-and-down system. Ong was once Aquino’s backup at Ginebra so he, too, is no stranger to his Sta. Lucia role.Cone’s veteran catch is Don Camaso who was fished out of Talk ‘N’ Text. Camaso started for Alaska in a preseason game against the Phone Pals last Jan. 31 and delivered 18 points–on 9-of-12 from the field–plus six rebounds with no turnover in 31 minutes. Despite’s Camaso’s glowing stats, alas, Alaska lost a 102-96 decision.

Eighth, the adjustment factor. The team that adjusts more quickly to the league’s new rules has a big edge. On defense, using the arm-bar is now allowed to defend your position against a player backing in but handchecking is still a no-no when you’re facing up against an offensive player. Crossing the timeline has a limit of only eight, not 10, seconds so the ballcarriers must be conscious of the press. Flagrant fouls now carry weighted penalties. International rules will apply on interference with the ball above the cylinder. And players will no longer be allowed to wipe stickum on their palms.

Ninth, the crowd factor. Which team will the fans bless? Alaska has a championship tradition and since everybody loves a winner, expect the fans to come out stronger for the Aces than Sta. Lucia. But the Realtors–because of their attacking style–should build up a bigger following as the season progresses. Fans enjoy the wild and wooly style of shoot-’em-up. Chua and Webb are matinee idols in their own right–they’re certified chick magnets. At Alaska, Arigo and Noble are among the favorites along groupie row.

Finally, the chemistry factor. Which team has jelled and which team is still struggling because of lack of chemistry? With so many new players, Alaska and Sta. Lucia are sure to grope for form in the early going. That puts a lot of pressure on the coaches to get it together as soon as possible. Alaska has seven new faces, including Castro and del Rosario who are in the injured list. Sta. Lucia also has seven new faces, including Santos who’s in the injured list.

So tonight’s game is a fitting season opener. It’s a dream match that opens a new and exciting chapter in the PBA’s storybook.