MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beer and Talk n Text, ball clubs with title runs last season, remain the teams to beat in the coming PBA season as seen by coaches and pundits after the Rookie Draft and the subsequent trade deals approved by the league.
The strong consensus is that Talk n Text gained big improvement, having assembled a team that can now match up with 2014-15 PBA double champ San Miguel Beer.
“Talk n Text lost only Kevin Alas and Rob Reyes and they got Moala Tautuaa and Troy Rosario. They were a strong team that got stronger. On sheer talent, they improved a lot,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“San Miguel Beer didn’t tinker with their lineup as they didn’t need to. San Miguel Beer and Talk n Text are up there in terms roster power,” Guiao also said.
“The others got minor consequences (from the draft). It will now depend on how these teams utilize their lineup,” Guiao added.
Rain or Shine, Meralco, Globalport and Barangay Ginebra have also beefed up their lineup, making them teams to watch in PBA Season 41 that begins in October.
The Elasto Painters, the only team that landed in the Final Four of each conference last season, souped up their backcourt and wing spots with draft acquisitions Maverick Ahanmisi, Josan Nimes and Don Trollano.
The Bolts, the Batang Pier and the Gin Kings got promising draftees and tweaked their lineups with free-agent and trade acquisitions.
Meralco improved its ceiling with the return of Rabeh Al-Hussaini and entry of free agents Bryan Faundo and Justin Chua. The Bolts then plugged holes in the wing and in the backcourt in drafting Chris Newsome and Baser Amer.
“Meralco got bigger and got stronger in the backcourt. They learned their lesson from last year and they made an effort to increase their ceiling,” said Guiao. “Their challenge is they’re practically a new team.”
Globalport expressed satisfaction with what the team landed at No. 28 overall.
“Our prayers were answered,” said Globalport team owner Mikee Romero in tabbing UE chief playmaker Roi Sumang in the third round. “I’m still dazed and puzzled how we got Roi Sumang at No. 28. Prior to the draft, our management were busy trying to get a first or second-round draft pick to be used at getting Roi Sumang.”
Romero has high hopes on the makeup of their team now, including 2015 Rookie of the Year awardee Stanley Pringle, Gilas hopeful Terrence Romeo and trade recruits Joseph Yeo, Jervy Cruz, Jay Washington and Sumang.
The Gin Kings and the Star Hotshots can’t be taken for granted.
“Ginebra will contend with coach Tim Cone and their buildup. Purefoods (Star) will always contend especially as they still have the core of their grand slam team. They have a new coach but the important thing is talent,” Guiao opined.
Guiao didn’t overlook Alaska Milk, twice finalist in its first full season under coach Alex Compton last year.
“They didn’t have significant changes. Their upside is coach Alex Compton is living up to the challenge. The more mature his team gets with him, the stronger they will get,” said Guiao.
“But they have one problem. The measure of big men today is Junmar Fajardo. (Alaska chief center) Sonny Thoss is not his old self anymore, and his not stronger, quicker and bigger than Junmar,” Guiao also said.
In giving away their first picks, Blackwater and Kia definitely remain low-tier teams.
For Guiao, the challenge for the league is how to make weaker teams stronger.
“The problem is strong teams get stronger while the weak teams stagnate. How to solve that? Hindi ko alam. Nasa desire ng liga yan,” he said.