Souped-up Cobra battles AddMix five

MANILA, Philippines - Three more newcomers debut today but focus will be on powerhouse Cobra Energy Drink as Ateneo star Jai Reyes teams up with former UAAP rival Paul Lee of University of the East in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Center.

With a talent-laden crew, the Cobra Iron Men are slightly favored over the AddMix Transformers when they clash at 2 p.m.

Mixing it up at 4 p.m. are Pharex B Complex and Ani-FCA with the former out to start its title bid on a high note the way Excel Roof and Cossack Blue opened their own bids.

Excel Roof posted the first upset in the tournament as it beat last year’s Unity Cup runner-up Ascof Lagundi, 82-73, while the Cossack Spirits downed Fern-C, 81-77.

Aside from Reyes and Lee, the Iron Men also boast of former UAAP scoring champion Patrick Cabahug, power forward Parri Llagas, La Salle star PJ Barua, Allan Mangahas, Marvin Hayes and Greg Aguilar.

Despite being labeled as the strongest team in the eight-team field, Cobra coach Lawrence Chongson downplayed their chances, saying: “The team has the right mix but we don’t know how far we can go,” said Chongson.

”One thing’s for sure, though. We’re going to motivate them to play their best each game. This is a short tournament, so each game is important,” said Chongson.

He added that there is a possibility that Eric Salamat – another Ateneo star -–may play for the team.

AddMix coach Leo Austria acknowledges Cobra’s strength in every position, but said his boys are ready for the tough outing.

“Cobra is a very strong team, but we will rely on our own system. We need a total team effort on the defensive end to beat them,” said Austria, whose team will be bannered by seven of his Adamson players.

Expected to lead them are Adamson’s Julius Colina and Jerrick Cañada and Arellano’s Gio Ciriacruz.

Pharex B Complex is made up of former and current University of the Philippine players, led by 6-foot-7 Magi King Sison, Nestor David and Mark Anthony Lopez and former Ateneo center Ford Arao.

The Ani-FCA Cultivators will rely on veterans James Sena and Marc Cagoco of Jose Rizal University and Christian Luanzon.