Source: By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star)
Coaches also pointed to Alaska Milk, Talk n Text and Barangay Ginebra as the teams likely to figure prominently in the fight for the championship in the event won by the Beermen over the Kings last year.
The others, however, are not totally discounted with the coaches stressing the imports role in the reinforced tourney.
They mentioned Rain or Shine last year when the Elasto Painters made the Final Four for the first time in franchise history behind hard-working import Jai Lewis.
Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty clash in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser then Ginebra and Talk n Text collide in the 6:30 p.m. main setto on opening day.
On Wednesday also at the Big Dome, Barako squares off with Coca-Cola at 5 p.m. then Air21 tangles with San Miguel Beer at 7:30 p.m.
However, San Miguel, Derby Ace, Alaska, Ginebra and Talk n Text remain the favorites to fight it out for the crown.
Coaches say the Beermen, the Llamados, the Aces, the Kings and the Tropang Texters have the built-in advantage with their solid local crew.
Derby Ace coach Ryan Gregorio said San Miguel and Alaska are the teams to beat but the Llamados will be out there to contend for a possible double championship.
For Alaska coach Tim Cone, San Miguel, Derby Ace and Ginebra are the teams that could well pose biggest problems to his troops.
“It’s hard to make predictions without seeing all the imports, but the SMC teams (San Miguel, Derby Ace and Ginebra) will all be favored, especially SMB with returning import Gabe Freeman. Purefoods, as the all-Filipino champion, will be there as well as Ginebra since they went to last year’s Fiesta Conference finals,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone.
“But as I always say, it’s not about getting the best import. It’s about getting the import that best fits your team. San Miguel has shown that already,” Cone added.
Bo Perasol and Siot Tanquingcen are two coaches which rated Talk n Text in the Top Three. Chot Reyes and Boyet Fernandez, meanwhile, included Alaska Milk in their lists. Jong Uichico picked San Miguel, Derby Ace, Alaska and Talk n Text but not necessarily in that order.
“San Miguel should be there because it’s the defending champion, Purefoods should also be a top choice since it’s the all-Filipino champion, then there’s Alaska with its great import,” said Reyes.
“Purefoods should be there. Talk n Text is also tough with Shawn Daniels. Ginebra will be a tough contender with the return of Rudy Hatfield, the addition of Yancy de Ocampo, the continuous improvement of JC Intal and the presence of healthy Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand. Rain or Shine, to me, is a contender with Jai Lewis and its young, energetic local crew,” said Tanquingcen.
“San Miguel, Talk n Text and Purefoods are strong contenders with their solid local lineups,” said Perasol.
Aside from Freeman, Daniels and Lewis, other imports seeing action in the tourney are James Penny for Coca-Cola, Anthony Johnson for Sta. Lucia, Lorrenzo Wade for Derby Ace, Keena Young for Air21, Diamon Simpson for Alaska, Sammy Monroe for Barako and Awvee Storey for Ginebra.
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