Games Wednesday:
(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. — Blackwater vs Converge
8 p.m. — Meralco vs Rain or Shine
Blackwater and Converge will resume their interesting on-court rivalry when they kick off their respective campaigns in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Bossing getting a chance to parade their latest acquisition in former Butler University star Christian David, whom they tapped with the second overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft.
David, a 6-foot-6 Filipino-American forward, drew the attention of a lot of teams, including Rain or Shine, but the Bossing were quick to draft him, knowing that he has what it takes to lead them to their first semifinal appearance.
But all eyes will be on the collision between these two emerging rivals.
In the off-season, Blackwater and Converge clashed multiple times, including a game in which Bossing coach Jeffrey Cariaso grabbed Aljun Melecio to halt a fastbreak play.
Cariaso, who coached Converge when it entered the league last year, was slapped with a fine by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
Aside from worrying about the game plan of their former coach, the FiberXers will also have to deal with the departure of stars Maverick Ahanmisi and Jeron Teng in the off-season.
Ahanmisi joined Barangay Ginebra San Miguel while Teng joined his father’s former ballclub, San Miguel Beer, in the off-season.
Although Cebuano hotshot Mac Tallo had already been cleared to join the FiberXers, head coach Aldin Ayo stressed that they still have to fill the huge void created by the absence of Ahanmisi and Teng collectively.
“It’s going to be a big test for us. I know their shoes will be too big to fill and guys like our rookie Schonny Winston, Adrian Wong and Mike Nieto will have to step up,” Ayo said.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine and Meralco collide in the main game at 8 p.m.
The Elasto Painters are one of those teams which were able to get multiple picks in the first round, but only one of them will be able to play this year.
Big man Keith Datu, a 6-foot-8 center who was picked fourth overall, will immediately man the middle for the Elasto Painters and provide the size they have been lacking through the years.
On the other hand, Rain or Shine’s other first-round pick, former University of the East star Luis Villegas, who was chosen as third overall, is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear that he suffered in the previous University Athletic Association of the Philippines wars.
“He’ll join us in January, but he has started doing individual workouts like shooting and light jumping,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, whose wards will be facing a Meralco squad that will start its life under a new mentor, said.
“I think these two rookies will immediately make an impact.”
“Keith provides us the size and strength inside, but he’s also one guy who can stretch the floor with his outside shooting. On the other hand, Luis is more of a finesse player, but has an excellent shooting from the perimeter for a big guy. Both can complement one another and we felt this is the best time for us to invest in quality big men.”
