BOOSTERS TEST REVAMPED BATANG PIER
THE soundness of the decisions made by Petron Blaze and GlobalPort should be known starting Wednesday when they launch their campaign in the PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A victory is a must for both, not only to move alongside opening day winners Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Talk N Text and Rain or Shine, but also to validate the roster-altering moves they made during the pre-season and thus boost their morale.
Compared to GlobalPort, Petron seemed idle as it just added Yousef Taha and Chris Ross, coincidentally from the Batang Pier, and free agent Jojo Duncil in the lineup that wound up second in the last season-ending Governors’ Cup.
Taha would be main backup to starting center June Mar Fajardo as Doug Kramer has been thrust into the power forward position.
How Ross fares is key, however. His acquisition is a timely one since Alex Cabagnot and Chico Lanete, along with Ronald Tubid, are still sidelined by the injuries they suffered late last season and the former Meralco Bolt would now be starting playmaker with Paolo Hubalde as chief backup.
Also, the Boosters had little time to acclimatize their newcomers since they only started practice Monday of last week.
Still, coach Gee Abanilla is upbeat.
“We are slowly getting into our rhythm and trying to get our new guys on board. We are still waiting for some guys to get healthy but we are ready to play,” said Abanilla.
“We are excited with our new guys and we just hope that they could blend well right away.”
That should also be the main worry of GlobalPort.
Aside from a revamped coaching staff now headed by interim head tactician Ritchie Ticzon, owner Mikee Romero, basketball operations chief Erick Arejola and team manager BJ Manalo masterminded a massive overhaul of the team through trades and the Draft, resulting in only six holdovers from the squad that finished a franchise record fifth its last time out.
Gone are the likes of perennial scoring champion Gary David and two-time MVP Willie Miller and in their place are center Rico Villanueva, former MVP Eric Menk, veteran Leo Najorda and five rookies, led by first round picks Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia.
Top backcourt men Alex Cabagnot and Chico Lanete are still nursing injuries they suffered in the Governors’ Cup, while a knee ailment will keep Ronald Tubid for six weeks.
“I now have the team I want,” Romero has said, before adding chemistry remains his team’s “biggest obstacle.” (NC)
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