Magnolia, Air21 raise PBA curtains Sunday

By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
Last updated 03:31am (Mla time) 10/09/2007

GAME SUNDAY (Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. -- Opening Ceremonies
6:30 p.m. -- Air21 vs Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines -- The 33rd season of the PBA unfurls Sunday with new rules, bright fresh names seeing action and the pro league’s oldest franchise seeing action under a new name to open Philippine Cup hostilities at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Magnolia, the new name of San Miguel Beer, clashes with Air21 in the only game scheduled at 6:30 p.m. following techno-inspired opening rites at 4:30 as Asia’s first play-for-pay league seeks another banner year just months after a failed international bid.

The team with the most Philippine Basketball Association titles will now be known as the Beverage Masters.

Rejoining them are Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros, who played for the RP five along with other PBA standouts in several events overseas that ended with a ninth-place finish in the FIBA-Asia championship in Japan.

A lavish press luncheon was held at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City Monday where officials announced that the league expects to reach new highs this year.

There will be a shorter three-point arc starting this season, a new shape for the shaded lane and a relaxed application of the hand-check rule to speed up action.

“All of the innovations are geared toward giving the fans what they want, and that is thrilling action,” league chair Tony Chua said Monday.

Focus will also be on the much-ballyhooed rookies who were picked in the draft.

Welcoat snagged Fil-Am Joe Devance as No. 1 pick and the 6-foot-7 center will be depended upon to turn things around for the sophomore franchise that won only seven games in both tournaments last season.

The Beverage Masters added 6-foot-9 Samigue Eman to their mix.

Sta. Lucia Realty could achieve what it is equipped to do after signing guard Ryan Reyes to lead an under-achieving core that has one of the league’s highest payrolls.