Games today:
(Ynares Arena Pasig)
5 p.m. — NorthPort vs Meralco
7:30 p.m. — Phoenix vs San Miguel
NorthPort starts its life without star playmaker Robert Bolick when it takes a souped-up Meralco side in the Philippine Basketball Association On Tour on Wednesday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City.
Game time is at 5 p.m. with the Batang Pier playing their first game without Bolick, who struck a deal with the Fukushima Firebonds in the Japanese B. League.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer will test Phoenix Super LPG in the second game at 7:30 p.m.
With Bolick out, the Batang Pier will have to search for their next best player and this preseason tournament is a perfect opportunity to find out who is willing to step up.
Like the Batang Pier, the Bolts are also in transition stage.
Meralco will have its first game under new head coach Luigi Trillo, who took the coaching reins after the squad has yet to win a PBA title despite reaching the finals four times and semifinals five times in the past six conferences.
Trillo, however, will not be the only new guy in the coaching staff as veteran bruiser Reynel Hugnatan had also been elevated to a bench role following his retirement two weeks ago.
With Hugnatan finally deciding to hang his jersey and another big man, Noy Baclao, being released, the Bolts felt the need to shop for a big man, prompting them to pluck Norbert Torres in a trade that sent Mac Belo to rain or Shine.
For San Miguel, it will be a chance to see up the new players included in its preseason roster.
Among those who are trying out for roster spots are Baclao as well as 3×3 players Chester Saldua, Marvin Lee, Jason Opiso John Apacible and Leo de Vera.
Beermen fans are also curious if they will finally see star guard Terrence Romeo back in action.
A multiple-time scoring champion and a former member of Gilas Pilipinas, Romeo, who spent most of the season recovering from various injuries, has been included in the preseason roster along with mainstays June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Jericho Cruz, Rodney Brondial, Allyn Bulanadi, Robbie Herndon and Jeepy Faundo.
