PBA fetes Hall of Famers in colorful rites

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine, teams aching to plunge back into action after narrowly missing the finals the last time, clash in the opener of the 2011-12 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The Kings and the Elasto Painters are expected to figure in a battle, a fitting punctuation to an evening of great spectacle to usher in the 37th PBA season.

The lone inaugural match is set at 6 p.m. after an elaborate opening rites highlighted by the enshrinement of the fourth batch of esteemed individuals into the PBA Hall of Fame.

Sensational 80s import Billy Ray Bates, four-time MVP awardee Alvin Patrimonio, 1977 MVP winner Freddie Hubalde, grand slam coach Tommy Manotoc, former national coach Tito Eduque, former commissioner Mariano Yenko and Vintage Enterprises president Carlos “Bobong” Velez are the honorees.

TV5, the league’s new TV partner carrying PBA games over IBC-13, prepared an extravaganza featuring a giant production number in line with the league’s new tagline “Kampihan Na.”

“The much awaited opening ceremony promises to be a breathtaking visual spectacle that will set the stage for the pulse pounding rivalries that are looming this season,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

Bubbles Paraiso (Alaska), Rhian Ramos (B-Meg), Helga Krapf (Barako Bull), Solenn Heussaff (Ginebra), Dianne Necio and Isabella Manion (Meralco), Helen Nicolette Henson, Chloe McCully and Samantha Neville Purvor (Petron Blaze), Maricar Reyes (Powerade), Michelle Gavagan (Rain or Shine) and Iya Villania (Shopinas.com) will be the beauties parading as muses.

League chair Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine declares the season open, then the Kings and the Elasto Painters start hostilities.

The Philippine STAR sportswriter Nelson Beltran poses with Quality Minutes awardee Danny Ildefonso. JUN MENDOZA

“We are excited to play. I believe we have had enough preparation to give Ginebra a good fight,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.

“Rain or Shine no doubt is younger and more athletic so we can’t try to match them fire for fire. We have to be wise and make good judgment,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

PBA watchers anticipate an exciting match-up in the backcourt with Gabe Norwood and No. 2 pick Paul Lee up against Mark Caguioa and the other talented Ginebra guards.

Lee, the celebrated combo guard from University of the East, is one of the reasons why Rain or Shine is among those teams fancied to make a good run in the season.

The top picks among coaches are Talk n Text, B-Meg and Petron while considered dark horses are Ginebra, Alaska and Rain or Shine.

They say the Texters have become stronger with the arrival of Japeth Aguilar, the Llamados are tough with a number of stalwarts back from injury and the Boosters have just proven their worth in winning the last tourney.

“It’s Petron, Talk n Text, B-Meg, Ginebra and Alaska in that order. These are the teams with most talent and experience,” Guiao opined.

Guiao noted balance of the teams has not changed that much, saying the interesting development is a number of changes in coaching rosters.

Tim Cone has moved over to B-Meg leaving Joel Banal to call the shots at Alaska. Franz Pumaren holds the rein in Shopinas.com, Junel Baculi is in the saddle at Barako Bull while Tanquingcen shares head-coaching job with Jong Uichico at Ginebra.

Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio sees an exciting reason, saying all the teams did a tremendous job strengthening their rosters.