But, in the end, this will all be gift-wrapping. If the games aren’t exciting, if there is no intensity, and if there are no rivalries and intrigue, will the fans still watch? Let’s check out the league’s main product, the teams themselves, beginning with the north, in no particular order.
LBC-Batangas Blades. There has only been one change in the defending champions: Romel Adducul has left. Having said that, who will fill in the monstrous shoes of the perennial All-Star and one-time MVP? Will the champs become the most accomplished doughnut team in the league?
Coach Nash Racela is pinning his hopes on National University’s Ariel de Castro. The 6-5 rookie injured his right arm three months ago, and is coming along well, but this means that more of the scoring burden will fall back on the shoulders of past MVP Alex Compton (2001 stats: 17 ppg, 5 apg, 88 % FT).
The supporting cast remains rock-solid, if undersized. The same problem will persist: the lack of an able back-up center. But reigning MVP Eddie Laure (15 ppg, 9 rpg), Peter Martin (7 ppg, 10 rpg), Jeff Sanders (10 ppg, 6 rpg), Ralph Rivera (10 ppg), Choo-Choo Serrano and Tonyboy Espinosa provide an otherwise solid rotation. And their combined championship experience dating back to Manila Metrostars days will prove priceless during close games.
Osaka-Pangasinan Waves. On paper, this team has the firepower to win it all. Giving the returning franchise Romel Adducul (15 ppg, 10 rpg, 2 bpg) and Chris Clay (a whopping 30 points and 5 assists per game) was akin to handing coach Lawrence Chongson a loaded double-barreled shotgun. Adducul will definitely go out of his way to prove he not only deserved to be the PBA’s top draft pick, but also improve his stock for next year’s draft. Clay, dubbed "Texas Thunder" for his high-impact style of play, was second only to Jeff Flowers in stats last year.
The bench is impressive, too. Gilbert Castillo (9 ppg, 5 rpg), Vilmer Bañares and Randy Alcantara will help greatly in the frontline, and add their championship experience from the San Juan Knights. Erstwhile Blade Bernard de Guia gives them another option at center or forward, while Iloilo MegaVolt and Nueva Ecija Patriot Francis Aquino (15 ppg) has always been reliable. There is also the team is short on centers. Cagayan de Oro held them to a stalemate two Wednesdays ago, and they play Pangasinan at home on opening day.
Exactly the kind of situation Francis Rodriguez loves.
Cagayan de Oro Amigos. This is Peter Naron’s team. Period. They will live and die with the left-handed forward’s graceful scoring (17 ppg, 6 rpg). New head coach Ycasiano’s debut will be softened by the presence of many veterans. Nueva Ecija team captain Sonny Manucat (10 ppg, 80% FT) adds smarts to the backcourt along with former Pampanga Dragon and Laguna Laker Ruel Bravo and Surigao scoring leader Edwin Pimentel. They’ve also taken in former Manila Metrostar Dino Manuel and Davao center Randy Lopez to shore up the slot.
But the most interesting piece of the Amigos’ puzzle is the strong batch of rookies they’ve collared. NCAA MVP Ernani Epondulan starts at the point, and is joined by a powerhouse neophyte cast of Ricky Calimag, Ariel Capus, Francis Sanz and Derrick Bughao. How quickly they grow up will be the major sticking point for this suddenly young returning franchise.
TPG-Davao Eagles. The last team to put together a line-up for the MBA 2002 season. With a few weeks left before opening day, head coach Bong Go saw how badly the Eagles were stomped in the frontcourt, and has high hopes for his new frontline.
Ateneo-Pioneer’s 6-6 Billy Mamaril will step in at center, backed up by former Cebu Gem, 6-5 Jan Montalbo. How strong this frontcourt will be may determined how far the Eagles go this season.