MANILA, Philippines - B-MEG Derby Ace and Rain or Shine, two teams out to improve mediocre showing in the season, collide in the opening game of the PBA Governors Cup at the Tacloban Convention Center in Tacloban, Leyte today.
The Llamados and the Elasto Painters clash in a lone game at 6 p.m. both looking to kick off their respective bids on a winning note with a pair of talented imports in the season-ending tournament where focus is on the grand slam-seeking Talk n Text Tropang Texters.
The two teams, both with below .500 mark through the first two conferences, are parading top-notch imports in their hope to contend for the crown in the Governors Cup.
Derby Ace recruited a firebrand of an import on Stefhon Hannah and, at the same time, strengthened its local roster with its acquisition of former Alaska Milk top forward Joe Devance.
Rain or Shine, meanwhile, pitched camp early for Arizona Reid, preparing for the tourney earlier than most of the other teams.
The 6-foot-4 Reid was a two-time Big South Conference Player of the Year with High Point U and has had experiences playing overseas with tours of duty in Italy, Australia and Lebanon.
The Llamados were fourth placers in the Philippine Cup and slipped to seventh in the Commissioner’s Cup while the Elasto Painters were seventh in the first conference and improved one rung up to sixth in the second confab.
While thinking that the Texters should be the top picks, the Llamados and the Elasto Painters don’t discount pulling off surprises in the third conference.
“I expect my team to make the semis,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
“The boys are in high spirits and raring to play,” said Derby Ace top official Rene Pardo.
The addition of Devance, the return of James Yap and the soon reactivation of Rafi Reavis are sources of inspiration for the Llamados.
Making the team a little disappointed was the foot injury suffered by Kerby Raymundo in a tune-up game with the Cebu Niños in Cebu last Saturday. The injury makes Raymundo doubtful in their earlier games in the tourney.
Nonetheless, many point to Derby Ace as a serious threat to Talk n Text.
“With Devance, James Yap, Marc Pingris, Kerby and their import, Derby’s got the strongest lineup today,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.
“As it was, B-MEG was already formidable. Adding Joe Devance made their roster an all-star cast which could rival the star power of Talk n Text,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.