San Mig Coffee battles Pharex in PBL opener

People's Journal
October 20, 2007

Games today:
(The Arena, San Juan)
1 p.m.-- Opening ceremony
2 p.m.-- Pharex vs. San Mig Coffee
4 p.m. -- Bacchus vs. Toyota Balintawak

THE San Mig Coffee team gives newcomer Pharex a feel of what Philippine Basketball League (PBL) brand of play is all about as the matchup between the two squads formally kicks off the season opener V-Go Extreme Energy Drink Cup today at The Arena in San Juan.

Buoyed by the acquisition of NCAA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Kelvin dela Pena and Ateneo stalwart Clifford Arao during the break, the Coffee Kings under coach Koy Banal have been mentioned time and again among the title contenders in the league’s first offering for the 2008 season.

The reputation earned by the team formerly known as Magnolia should serve as a big challenge to the young Medics squad seeking to carve out a name in its maiden year in the country’s premiere amateur commercial league backed by Gerry’s Grill, ACCEL, Isuzu Motors, Spalding, Gold’s Gym and Xtreme Magic Sing.

Pharex, a collection of young talent with a sprinkling of veterans coached by Gian Carlo Lai Tan, is banking on Mapua playmaker Sean Co and Universityof
the East big man Elmer Espiritu to carry the cudgels for the rookie ball club.

“We’ll definitely run and look to share the ball more often,” said Tan, looking to pattern the Medics’ plays to the Euro style of basketball.

The San Mig Coffee-Pharex tussle is set at 2 p.m. shortly after the lively and colorful opening ceremony prepared by the PBL and television coveror Solar Sports.

Guest of honor during the hour-long activity are members of the Special Olympics team, whom Commissioner Chino Trinidad will personally present before the public, while San Juan City Mayor JV Ejercito gets the distinguished task to do the ceremonial toss.

Delivering the opening remarks is incoming chairman Cecilio Pedro of Hapee Toothpaste, with entertainment numbers to be provided by the PBL Dancers and top bands Bloomfields, Blueketchup and Protein Shake.

Toyota Balintawak Roadkings, bannered by Letran hotshot Rafael Jazul and UAAP Finals co-MVP Jayvee Casio and Cholo Villanueva, take on the comebacking Bacchus Energy Raiders in the main game at 4 p.m.

Fil-Am big man Joe Devance, picked No. 1 overall in the last PBA draft, Dennis Daa and Christian Coronel, are no longer around for the Roadkings, leaving the team hard-pressed to sustain the Final Four stint it achieved in the last
PBL Unity Cup.

“That’s a very big shoe (Devance) to fill in,” said Vanguardia of the absence of the 6-foot-6 former University of Texas in El Paso player.

“But the good thing in this conference is that the field is pretty balanced and I believe that it will boil down to who wants it more,” added the Roadkings mentor.

Talk about the desire to win, and the Raiders definitely have tons of it.

Returning to the league following a forgettable stint two years ago, Bacchus Energy stocked up on talent by recruiting four members -- James Martinez,
Hans Thiele, Mark Fampulme and Pari Llagas -- of the University of the East team that finished runner up to De La Salle in the last UAAP men’s basketball finals.

“We had less than a month’s practice as a team kaya hindi pa talaga familiar `yung mga players. But having at least the core of the UE team around, will make it easier for us to adjust,” said coach Lawrence Chongson, who also had former Warriors Robert Labagala and Angelus Raymundo in his disposal.

Harbour Centre, seeking a fourth straight championship, and guest team RP men’s basketball squad, won’t see action until the next playing day on Tuesday.