Team to beat

Unpredictable is how to describe the new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season and the result of last Thursday’s game in Guam is an indication of how difficult the oddsmakers’ job will be.

Alaska was expected to roll over Red Bull in the overseas opener as the Aces were the only unbeaten team in the preseason tournament.

Don’t think the players didn’t take the preseason games seriously. The teams were out to win, first and foremost, although they also took the opportunity to try out rookies and free agents. If players took the games lightly, why were there fights and fines? Ask Mac-Mac Cardona, Cesar Catli, Enrico Villanueva and Joseph Yeo if they didn’t play their guts out in the preseason.

For the record, here’s how the teams fared in the preseason tournament.

The 10 teams were split into two groups. San Miguel Beer, Red Bull, Sta. Lucia Realty, Talk ‘N’ Text and Coca-Cola made up one group. Alaska, Air21, Ginebra San Miguel, Welcoat and Purefoods comprised the other.

Teams played each other once per group. San Miguel and Red Bull finished with identical 3-1 records to top their bracket but the Beermen advanced to the one-game finals because of the winner-over-the-other rule. Coca-Cola posted a 2-2 mark with wins over Sta. Lucia and Talk ‘N’ Text. The Realtors and Phone Pals brought up the rear at 1-3. Sta. Lucia’s only win was a 121-116 decision over San Miguel as rookie Kelly Williams collected 26 points and 21 rebounds.

The Beermen beat the Barakos, 105-104, on free agent hire Willie Wilson’s basket off an L.A. Tenorio assist.

In the other group, Alaska went unscathed with a 4-0 slate. Air21 was second at 3-1, Ginebra third at 2-2, Welcoat fourth at 1-3 and Purefoods fifth at 0-4.

The Dragons’ only victory was a 99-90 win over the Chunkee Giants. Rookie Jun-Jun Cabatu, whose father Sonny was the PBA’s first-ever No. 1 overall draft pick in 1985, scored 20 points to fuel the breakthrough. Free agent pick-up Nino Gelig added 18.

Teams were allowed to send in as many as 16 players in the preseason. Among the rookies and free agents who saw action were Emerson Oreta, Chico Lanete, Don Dulay and Jec Chia (for Ginebra), Al Magpayo, Marlon Legaspi and Abby Santos (for Welcoat), Chris Cantonjos, Jenkins Mesina, Arnold Gamboa and Ollan Omiping (for Purefoods), Bernzon Franco and Banjo Calpito (for Alaska), Chris Pacana and Michael Gavino (for Coca-Cola), Magnum Membrere and Carlo Sharma (for Red Bull), Ferdinand Daa, Robert Sanz, Jonathan Aldave, Chad Alonzo, Richard Hardine and Jerome Paterno (for Talk ‘N’ Text) and Mark Kong and Alfie Grijaldo (for San Miguel Beer).

None of those players made it to the final rosters although as the season progresses, some of them will surely be elevated from the practice lineup.

In the title game, Alaska trimmed San Miguel, 128-126, in overtime. Seven Aces were in double figures with Willie Miller leading the attack. The win installed Alaska as a serious title contender.

Despite the Aces’ perfect preseason record, several experts picked Ginebra as the team to beat, what with the recruitment of Rudy Hatfield, Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril and Johnny Abarrientos. Ginebra sharpened its fangs playing in the recent Brunei Cup although the Kings managed to win only once, an 82-70 verdict over Jordan. Hatfield didn’t play in Brunei.PBA commissioner Noli Eala, however, chose Red Bull as the team to watch.

"Coach Yeng (Guiao) has always mentioned this is the year for Red Bull to contend for the title," said Eala. "It was his three-year development program only Red Bull was a year early. I think Red Bull is the team to beat this season with Ginebra and Purefoods not far behind. Lordy Tugade and Enrico are MVP material. Topex (Robinson) and Celino Cruz have matured. Rich Alvarez is back and he just makes the team even deeper. They play well together and they’re tough."

Eala said Red Bull’s showing in Guam was an eye-opener.

"I watched the game beside Gov. Felix Camacho (of Guam) and he was impressed with Enrico and Junthy (Valenzuela)," said Eala. "But Mick (Pennisi) stole the show. He told me for some reason, the court liked him. He shot really well and had 22 points."

Alaska couldn’t get started as Miller was the only player consistently breaking down Red Bull’s defense.

"What I saw in the game was something fans will see this season," said Eala. "It was a souped-up, fast-paced game with a lot of running, a lot of outside shooting. I noticed both teams played much like the international style. Even Alaska, which is known to be a set-up type of team, played quick. There wasn’t too much physical banging. It was a very entertaining game. In the first five minutes, both teams combined for about eight turnovers because they were trying to outrun each other."

Eala called it a "revved-up" brand of basketball.

"We’re now very familiar with the international style," said Eala. "Our players have been exposed to it. As a result, we’re playing faster, moving quicker. We’re in for a very exciting season because I think more and more teams will play this style. Then we’ve got the rookies and free agents switching teams. This will be an unpredictable season."

To prepare for war, several teams went overseas. Red Bull flew to Macau for a three-day bonding exercise. Talk ‘N’ Text played at the Southern California Pro Summer League in Long Beach and also trained in Korea. San Miguel Beer figured in a Taiwan pro tournament. Ginebra competed in the Brunei Cup. Air21 participated in tournaments in Hong Kong (fourth place) and Mainland China (first place).

From the looks of things, each and every team is well-armed to battle in the trenches this season. That’s why even Eala is calling it unpredictable.