33rd PBA season on at Big Dome

After a three-month wait, curtains rise for the 33rd PBA season today.

The country’s No. 1 sports entertainment business reopens shop with a traditional opening spectacle and an exciting opening game expected to draw a mammoth crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, reigning World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno have been invited as special guests in the ceremonies also to be graced by a bevy of beauties standing as muses for the 10 ball clubs.

The wacky duo of Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola are the hosts while Karylle leads the singing of the national anthem.

The inaugural rites begin at 4:30 p.m. but ABC-5 Sports starts its telecast with a primer at 4 p.m. The proceeds will also be aired live by The Filipino Channel (TFC) which caters to the Gulf Region, US West Coast, Chicago, New Jersey, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore and Europe.

Action is on at 6:30 p.m. with Magnolia (formerly San Miguel Beer) and Air21 clashing in a game pitting a championship caliber team against another that has the makings to become one.

Two national mainstays, two RP team reserves and six rookies will be on showcase in this contest.

The return of Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros, the acquisition of Larry Fonacier and the arrival of Samigue Eman and Jonas Villanueva have firmed up the Magnolia lineup all the more.

But Air21 coach Bo Perasol is undaunted.

For Perasol, his potentially explosive starters and the Express’ perfect 3-0 record against the Beermen during the last Fiesta Cup make for an interesting match-up.

Rookie superstars John Christopher Intal, Doug Kramer and Marvin Cruz are reinforcing old Air21 mainstays Arwind Santos, KG Canaleta, Ranidel De Ocampo, Wynne Arboleda and Homer Se.

“We know that San Miguel has got a formidable lineup. But we’re not thinking that we can’t beat them. We’re ready for a tough grind. We know we have a chance to win,” said Perasol.

“I must admit this team is loaded with talent. But traditionally, it’s how a team transfers its strength from paper to the playing court that matters,” said Magnolia coach Bethune Tanquingcen.

Tanquingcen’s formidable roster includes two-time MVP winner Danny Ildefonso, old reliable playmaker Olsen Racela, and former Red Bull stars Enrico Villanueva and Lordy Tugade.

Ildefonso and company finished second to the Barangay Ginebra Kings in last year’s Philippine Cup.

Preseason tournament champion Purefoods and Fiesta Cup titlist Alaska Milk tangle with Sta. Lucia Realty and Talk n Text, respectively, Wednesday.