SORENTO, ELITE EYE SMASHING DEBUT
As the PBA ushers in its 40th season at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, two teams are also aching to show what they are made of when they make their pro league debut on Sunday.
Expansion teams KIA Sorento and Blackwater Elite clash in the curtainraiser of the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup in what is shaping up to be a game to remember.
KIA’s rookie playing coach Manny Pacquiao is expected to suit up for the Sorento, playing his lone game before he wages war against Chris Algieri in the boxing ring four weeks from now.
This game will be a rematch of the Liga ng Bayan clash between these two squads two weeks ago, where the Elite downed the Sorento, 88-77, in Biñan, Laguna.
Reil Cervantes will be leading the upstart KIA squad, with Rudy Lingganay, Hans Thiele, and Chad Alonzo playing supporting roles.
KIA governor Ginia Domingo expressed the excitement in the Sorento camp as they slowly approach opening day.
“We’re very positive and very excited in playing in the PBA. We hope to see everybody there at the Philippine Arena,” she said.
Blackwater, meanwhile, will get its firepower from the triumvirate of Alex Nuyles, JR Cawaling, and Sunday Salvacion.
With their team scampering to prepare for their much awaited debut, Elite coach Leo Isaac hopes that come Sunday, Blackwater will mark its entry in the pro league with a bang.
“We still need to improve on other departments, but hopefully come opening day, ayos na kami,” he said.
Game time is at 3 p.m. (RL)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
