The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
After the Paris Olympics, it’s back to the PBA, Asia’s first play-for-pay league, for most local sports fans.
The PBA Governors Cup, the first conference of the league’s Season 49, formally kicks off with an early battle between reigning Philippine Cup champion Meralco and Magnolia Chicken Timplados on Sunday, August 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The lone opening game is scheduled at 7:30 p.m.
The colorful opening ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. right after the 48th Season Leo Awards honoring the top individual performers from last season.
The Bolts, who captured their first-ever PBA title with a 4-2 win over San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup last June, will parade old reliable Allen Durham as their import.
A three-time PBA Best Import, Durham spent the past three years playing in the Japan B.League, where he led the Ryukyu Golden Kings to the 2023 championship.
The Hotshots, on the other hand, will pin their hopes on former NBA slam dunk champion Glenn Robinson III.
Robinson was a seven-year NBA veteran who won the NBA Slam Dunk competition in 2017. He is the son of former No. 1 overall pick Glenn Robinson.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas and top officials of the participating teams said they expect a balanced competition, especially with the return of old, reliable imports and the entry of new ones boasting of impressive credentials.
The change of format and the introduction of new rules such as the four-point shot could also make a big difference.
“It’s everybody’s game now .I think this time everybody has a better chance,” said Vargas during a press conference at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel last Wednesday.
San Miguel Corporation sports director and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua said Meralco remains as one of the teams to beat, with Blackwater as the dark horse..
“Yung Meralco, buo na ang team nila kaya malakas pa din.. SMB is always gonna be there. TNT babalik na rin yung import nila,” said Chua.
“Watching the practice games isang magandang panoorin ngayon ay Blackwater. They got a good import ( former NBA stalwart Ricky Ledo). It’s gonna be good for Blackwater,” he added.
Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales.and Rain or Shine governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon echoed Chua’s assessment.
“Of course, the MVP teams, the San Miguel teams will always be contenders there for a championship,” said Rosales /
“Tulad ng dati, yung malalaking team tulad ng Ginebra, San Miguel, TNT, at siyempre, yung bago nating kampeon Meralco, yan ang mga magdo-dominate,,” added Mondragon.
“The fans will be in for a grand game every time he’s on the court,” said Magnolia governor Rene Pardo.
Also present during the media launch were PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Atty. Bill Pamintuan (Meralco), Archen Cayabyab (Converge), Ronald Dulatre (NLEX), Robert Non (San Miguel), Atty. Raymond Zorrilla (Phoenix), Eric Arejola (Northport), and Silliman Sy (Blackwater).