MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk, the last two teams to reign supreme in an import-laced tourney, take on Coca-Cola and San Miguel Beer, respectively, to kick off their respective campaigns in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Center today.
The Aces and the Beermen tangle at 4:50 p.m. while the Kings and the Tigers mix it up at 7:30 p.m. in an exciting double header held in connection with the inauguration of the new Rizal provincial capitol in the same sprawling complex in Antipolo.
Entrance to the games for Rizal fans is free, courtesy of Gov. Junjun Ynares.
The Kings are coming off a minor revamp during the conference break that had them acquiring the services of JC Intal, Doug Kramer and Chico Lanete. Alex Crisano has moved over to the Barako Bull Energy Boosters while Mark Caguioa remains in the injured list.
The Aces, meanwhile, are back after a heartbreaking finish in the recent Philippine Cup that saw them squander 2-0 and 3-2 leads over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in the best-of-seven finals.
“It’s a tough game and tough conference ahead. There’s a big adjustment to be done with the way the games are played,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
“We couldn’t ask for a tougher opening assignment than San Miguel, but we feel we’re ready,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
Ginebra is up against a Coca-Cola side now under Kenneth Duremdes with a formal contract as head coach of the team. Backstopping Duremdes is former Air21 mentor Bo Perasol.
“We have to limit Rod Nealy’s touches and control the Ginebra guards from dictating the tempo. We can’t allow them to run and get the crowd involved,” Duremdes said.
Duremdes is wary of Nealy who has reportedly improved a lot from the first time he reinforced the Kings in 2007. The Tigers are pitting former Talk n Text import J.J. Sullinger against Nealy.
The Alaska-SMB tiff has Galen Young returning to the Aces’ fold and beginning another campaign in the local pro league against the Beermen whom he powered to a semifinal finish two years ago.
“Alaska is always tough to play. They’re so disciplined on both ends of the court. We have to outhustle them,” said coach Siot Tanquingcen whose Beermen are coming off a fourth-place finish in the all-Filipino tourney.
Among the top favorites, the Beermen settled for third runner-up honors in the Philippine Cup reeling on injuries to key players. Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso are among the Beermen sidelined by injuries.