Newcomers ready for PBL opener

Newcomers Lee Pipes-Ateneo and Toyota Otis-Letran get to taste real Philippine Basketball League (PBL) action as they debut against Viva Mineral Water-Far Eastern U and Sunkist-University of Santo Tomas in Sunday’s season opener of the second Unity Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

With a young, talented roster led by the prolific Ronjay Enrile, the Knights clash with the fancied Tamaraws at 2 p.m. in a battle of NCAA and UAAP champions while the Eagles tangle with the Tigers at 4 p.m.

The tournament will be ushered in by the traditional parade of colors by participating ballclubs that include reigning Platinum Cup champion Hapee Toothpaste, Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent, Welcoat Paints, Blustar Detergent and Montana Pawnshop.

The opening rites, which will be telecast live on Studio 23, will also be highlighted by the presence of the sultry and sexy group of Viva Hot Babes, who will also represent all eight teams as muses. Popular rock band Rivermaya was also invited to perform.

Joining Enrile, who had a brief stint with Montana, in the Louie Alas-coached Toyota Otis squad are Jonathan Aldave, Jonathan Pinera, Boyet Bautista and Frederick Rodriguez, all members of the Letran team that unseated San Sebastian in last year’s NCAA finals, among others.

Alas’ charges, however, could face rough sailing against an intact line-up consisting of Dennis Miranda, Arwind Santos, Cesar Catli, Rhagnee Sinco, Jason Misolas, Warren Ybanez, Mark Isip and prized rookie recruit Neil Raneses of University of Visayas in Cebu.

Lee Pipes, on the other hand, will be bannered by collegiate standouts Larry Fonacier, LA Tenorio, JC Intal and Paolo Bugia, who were all loaned by the Lamoiyan Corp.-owned Hapee franchise in this conference.

Sunkist, for its part, is playing hurt as its inspirational leader Alex Compton could be a doubtful starter as he’s still recovering from a knee surgery early this year.

Nel Parado, the Tigers’ coach, said he expects new acquisitions Mark Magsumbol Ronald Capati and Melchor Latoreno and holdovers Jemal Vizcarra, Christian Luanzon, Derrick Hubalde and VJ Santos to take the cudgels from Compton.