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PAGPUPUGAY, PASASALAMAT AT RESPONSIBILIDAD
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Coming off of a Grand Slam season, San Mig Coffee is the unanimous favorite for all the PBA Governors as the team-to-beat for the 2015 Season.
“They’re an outstanding team,” said Blackwater governor Silliman Sy.
“At the start of the league, nagpapabugbog yan lagi, pero malakas sila,” added Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua.
Kicking off the season in the PBA Preseason Press Conference at the Palawan Ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-la Hotel on Tuesday, the Coffee Mixers, represented by governor Rene Pardo, have their work cut out for them and they know that they have a big bull’s eye on their backs.
“I have to pressure coach Tim (Cone),” said Pardo. “We can’t put down our guns because we just won a Grand Slam. We are now looking at win number five in the All-Filipino, and hopefully our number six and beat the record set by Crispa.”
But Pardo remained wary of the threat the other teams are posing, up against 11 other squads who want to topple them from their lofty perch. And he’s most worried about Rain or Shine, a team which they met in two separate Finals series.
“Personally, my choice is Rain or Shine. They gave us a rough time, and they improved on their lineup,” he said. “Malaking factor yung na-re-sign nila si Paul Lee.”
Other governors shared Pardo’s sentiments on the Elasto Painters.
Chua said, “Baka mas lumakas sila ngayon because of the rebirth of Paul Lee.”
But the most glaring parallels between the two favorites have been their dedication to keeping their core and honing teamwork, a recipe which has allowed them to contend in the championship series for two of last season’s three championship duels.
“I believe after the past season, it is evident that team chemistry is a major factor in winning. You might have a lot of superstars in your team, but if you don’t have the chemistry, you cannot win,” Pardo said.
Aside from San Mig and Rain or Shine, four other teams have loomed as strong contenders this season.
“Mahirap sabihin kung sino yung nasa top, but not in specific order, I think it’s San Mig, San Miguel Beer, Ginebra, Talk ‘N Text, and Rain or Shine,” said GlobalPort governor Erick Arejola, who is also the Board’s new treasurer.
“Aside from the San Miguel teams, Rain or Shine and Talk ‘N Text, I think Alaska will also be there,” added Meralco governor Al Panlilio. “It will be a very competitive league, but it’s a league that will do very well.”
PBA commissioner Chito Salud said that the league’s 40th season will revolve on the ideologies of pagpupugay, pasasalamat, at responsibilidad.
“In the PBA, led by its founding fathers and sustained by its pioneering generation, we formed something special – a strong, thriving people’s league which makes us unique and special. We showed that our destiny, fate, and our future are in the hands of people as long as we’re doing the right things,” he said.
“I’m very confident that the PBA will continue to improve and break barriers in the next generation.”
PBA chairman and Talk ‘N Text governor Patrick Gregorio expounded on the programs the league will present, starting with the Chairman’s Ball on October 14, where players and coaches will bring their wives on a memorable night getting to know one another.
It will be followed by the season opener at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena on October 19.
“This is our chance to bring PBA to the people in the northern region. We’ll try to fill up that 55,000-seater arena. I think we can do it,” Gregorio said.
Another is the naming of the 40 Greatest Players in PBA History in April of next year, as well as inviting the league’s players to hold basketball clinics in their barangays to continue the PBA’s outreach programs.
And with the idea already a hit among governors, Gregorio added that the Board will confer once more in the next regular meeting on his proposal to bring in Asian reinforcements, which hopefully, would open the gates for more players in the ASEAN and Asian region to play in the league.
“We promise a memorable 40th season. Let us celebrate this together,” he said. “This is not about my chairmanship. This is about the 40th season of the PBA.” (RL)
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EDITORS' PICK
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