4 PBL teams test souped-up crew

How Hapee, Ana, Osaka and Montana will fare with souped-up squads will be known today when they clash in separate matches marking the second playdate of the PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Montana, acquiring players observers say fit perfectly to coach Leo Isaac’s style, opens its bid against Osaka, which likewise underwent a no-nonsense buildup during the off-season. They clash at 5:30 p.m. with the winner joining opening day victor Shark Energy Drink.

Isaac has tapped the services of guard John Lim, power forward Jar-Arr Estrada and former Welcoat player Francis Zamora to backstop the core of its unit led by Jacques Gottenbos and Gilbert Lao.

"I think we have a fighting unit. What we need is just a little time to jell," said Isaac.

But the Osaka Iridologists will be coming into the game with new recruits in Rendel dela Rea, PCU standout Omar Asmad and ex-pro Jessie Cabanayan who are expected to beef up coach Franz Pumaren’s roster of La Salle players.

Hapee Toothpaste, on the other hand, squares off with Ana Freezers at 3:30 p.m. with the former parading new acquisitions Allan Salangsang, Julius Binuya and Cebuano Glenn Yuson and the latter banking on Paul Artadi and Bong Quiambao aside from mainstays Ronald Tubid, Robin Mendoza and Ariel Capus.

Ana team owner Rudy Mendoza, however, said Roel Buenaventura’s comeback remains unsure at this stage pending the completion of their negotiations. — Joey Villar