PBA opening a must-see

The curtains will rise to unveil the PBA’s 36th season today as all roads lead to the Araneta Coliseum for the inaugural extravaganza to usher in the return of the three-conference format and a new era of excitement under commissioner Chito Salud.

The opening program promises to be spectacular. According to chief event organizer Mart Miranda, the court will be transformed into an active 3-D type of stage to project a dazzling light-and-sound show guaranteed to mesmerize the fans in the stadium or those watching on Solar TV. There will also be the march of giant mascots representing each of the PBA’s 10 franchises. Miss Philippines Universe Venus Raj will host the proceedings and Gary Valenciano is the featured performer.

The traditional parade of teams will be a knockout. Each team will try to outdo the other in a game of one-upmanship, a sort of foreboding for the confrontations ahead.

Alaska will walk in with actress Nancy Castiliogne. Powerade will likely go with Vice Ganda although there is clamor to bring back Pokwang for the third straight year. Defending champion B-Meg will be with Carla Abellana. San Miguel Beer will march with Isabelle Daza, Georgina Wilson and Sam Pinto. Barangay Ginebra will enter with actress Anne Curtis, possibly escorted by no less than the Living Legend, Robert Jaworski.

Talk ‘N’ Text’s muse is actress Jenilyn Mercado, star of the movie “Rosario.” According to Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio, the film will be shown at the 2010 Metro Manila festival. The director is Albert Martinez with the story by PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan. Gregorio said the story is based on the life of MVP’s grandmother.

Rain Or Shine will bring in coach Caloy Garcia’s niece Coleen Garcia, a model from the ABS-CBN Star Magic Circle. Barako Bull will be energized by 5-8 international commercial Fil-German ramp model Bianca Bauer. Air21 will come in with Brazilian model and “Eat Bulaga” mainstay Diana Menezes.

Finally, Meralco will attempt to steal the thunder from the other teams by showing up with 14 muses from the company ranks and 14 Caritas kids. “Our 14 muses are all employees, symbolizing the strong bond between the team and the corporate organization,” said Meralco senior vice president Ramon Segismundo. “They’ll be marching alongside 14 Caritas kids to portray our social advocacy.”

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Only one game is scheduled – Meralco against Barangay Ginebra. The Bolts, emerging from the ashes of the defunct Sta. Lucia Realty franchise, are coached by Ryan Gregorio who piloted Purefoods, now B-Meg, to the Philippine Cup title last season. The Kings will return with a near intact roster, dropping only Sunday Salvacion to bring in rookie Jimbo Aquino. Former San Miguel head coach Siot Tanquingcen joins Joseph Uichico’s staff on the bench.

Here are some interesting numbers related to the new PBA season.

9 – players in the Ginebra lineup who are at least 30 (only one, rookie Jimbo Aquino, is 25 or less).

7 – players in the Meralco roster who are 25 or less with Beau Belga the youngest at 23 (only four are 30 or over with Marlou Aquino and Asi Taulava the oldest at 37).

14 – rookies in PBA rosters with Barako Bull’s Hans Thiele the only undrafted newcomer. The drafted players who didn’t make the opening day lineups are John Wilson, Pari Llagas, Robert Labagala, Val Acuna, Borgie Hermida (still playing for San Beda in the NCAA) and Marvin Hayes.

24 – veterans who moved teams from the end of the last conference. The list includes Ken Bono who’s still negotiating a contract with Barako. Among the prominent movers are Taulava, Salvacion, Jonas Villanueva, Paul Artadi, Renren Ritualo, Larry Rodriguez, John Ferriols, Josh Urbiztondo, Bonbon Custodio, Mac Cardona, Belga and Larry Fonacier.

3 – new head coaches (Gregorio for Meralco, Ato Agustin for San Miguel Beer, Jorge Gallent for B-Meg).

5 – teams with at least five new players (Barako, Powerade, Rain Or Shine, Meralco, Air21).

3 – teams with no rookies (San Miguel, B-Meg, Talk ‘N’ Text).

5 – players wearing No. 1 (Barako’s Thiele, B-Meg’s Rico Maierhofer, Ginebra’s Celino Cruz, Meralco’s Shawn Weinstein, Alaska’s Sam Eman).

99 – highest jersey number worn by Ginebra’s Rudy Hatfield.

0 – lowest jersey number worn by B-Meg’s Villanueva.

5 – out-of-town cities hosting PBA games up to Dec. 15 (Batangas City, Naga City, Panabo City, Bacolod City, Digos City).

3 – Ateneo players in Air 21 (Nonoy Baclao, Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Wesley Gonzales).

3 – La Salle players in B-Meg (Maierhofer, Don Allado, Jerwin Gaco).

3 – UE players in Alaska (Elmer Espiritu, Custodio, Mark Borboran).

4 – San Beda players in Meralco (Yousif Aljamal, Pong Escobal, Bam Gamalinda, Ogie Menor).

2 – Ex-PBA players who are head coaches (Gallent, Agustin).

1 – Rookie referee Dexter See.