SMC teams fancied as PBA opens in three cities

Games Sunday:

3 p.m. – Ginebra vs San Mig Coffee (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – Meralco vs Talk n Text (Cebu Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. – Alaska vs Rain or Shine (USEP, Davao)

MANILA, Philippines - The 39th PBA season kicks off Sunday with a milestone opening in three key cities and sister ball clubs Barangay Ginebra, Petron Blaze and San Mig Coffee tipped as the prohibitive favorites that could turn the upcoming season into one big family affair.

Each team boosted its roster from the rookie draft and the busy pre-season wheeling and dealing, but most still point to the Kings, the Boosters and the Mixers as the teams to watch in the season that will see 18 new faces, five returnees and 18 players in new uniforms on opening day.

The Kings and the Mixers test each other’s mettle at the Smart Araneta Coliseum while four other teams see action at two different playing venues in an innovative season inaugurals tipped to establish new record on gate attendance and gate receipts for a season opener.

The Big Dome game alone between Ginebra and San Mig, featuring the pro debuts of top draft pick Greg Slaughter, second draft selection Ian Sangalang and three other freshmen, could break the existing mark following a banner 2012-13 season.

Talk n Text starts its quest for a Philippine Cup four-peat versus Meralco at the Cebu Coliseum while Commissioner’s Cup titlist Alaska Milk tangles with Rain or Shine over at the USEP gym in Davao City.

“Three games in three different cities on opening day is in line with our season theme One PBA, One Philippines,” said PBA board chairman Mon Segismundo during the season media launch at Makati Shangri-La yesterday.

Also present in the affair were commissioner Chito Salud, governors Patrick Gregorio of Talk n Text, Lito Alvarez of Air21, Rene Pardo of San Mig Coffee, Dickie Backmann of Alaska, Mert Mondragon of Rain or Shine, Manny Alvarez of Barako Bull, Robert Non of Ginebra, Erick Arejola of Globalport, and Sports5 director Chot Reyes.

Most of them pointed to Ginebra, Petron and San Mig as title contenders.

“We love to be the favorites. But at the moment, we’re only the strongest on paper. Remember this team is still a work in progress. Only three are holdovers – Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand and Billy Mamaril. The team still needs to jell,” said Non.

“Hopefully, it gets proper jelling in time and we be champion again after six long years,” Non added.

Talk n Text, Rain or Shine, Alaska Milk and Globalport got good reviews while Air21, Meralco and Barako Bull officials expressed confidence they have a fighting chance with the moves that they’ve done.

For Reyes, the Gilas Pilipinas coach, the top bets are still those teams who have long been together.

“The game is played not on paper but on the wood. Sa akin, lamang pa rin yong matagal ng magkakasama. There’s Talk n Text and Rain or Shine. San Mig is always tough with coach Tim Cone,” said Reyes.

Talk n Text tries to stretch its Philippine Cup reign with a team boosted by the return of Kelly Williams and the addition of rookie Eliud Poligrates and former Petron player Noy Baclao.

Rain or Shine, a consistent contender at least in the last two seasons, is bringing back its fighting team souped up by good draft acquisitions Jeric Teng and Alex Nuyles. No. 3 pick Raymond Almazan joins the team only after the 2013 NCAA Finals.

Globalport is now getting second looks with an overhauled lineup. Interim coach Richie Ticzon will have at his disposal a 14-man roster including one-time MVP winner Eric Menk and no less than five rookies in RR Garcia, Terrence Romeo, Nic Salva, Justin Chua and LA Revilla.

Six different teams made the finals last year. Salud said his wish is for the four non-finalists – Air21, Globalport, Barako Bull and Meralco – to get there this time.

Alvarez said he has good reasons to believe it would be Air21’s year.

“We’re doing good in the pre-season. We’ve beat Ginebra and Talk n Text. Asi Taulava is highly motivated and playing his best. The two spot used to be our weakness and we’ve addressed that with the acquisition of Joseph Yeo and Mac Cardona,” Alvarez said.

Barako made bold moves, taking veteran players in exchange for three top draft rights.

Meralco is virtually the same team as last year, except for its acquisition of Gary David and AJ Mandani in exchange for Mac Cardona and Chris Ross. The Bolts are one of only two teams without a rookie in their lineup.