Depleted Boosters face Cone-mentored Llamados

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Blaze and B-Meg, among the pre-season favorites, open their campaigns in the 37th PBA season by taking on each other at the Cuneta Astrodome today.

Powerade tests the mettle of its retooled lineup as it tangles with newcomer Shopinas.com in the day’s other game.

The second playdate of the new PBA season will be marked by Franz Pumaren’s coaching debut in the pros, coach Tim Cone’s first game with B-Meg, Dondon Hontiveros’ return to Petron and Marcio Lassiter’s initial outing with Powerade, among others.

Top draft pick Jayvee Casio of Powerade is a doubtful starter with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Mark Borboran will have to wait awhile for which team to play.

Commissioner Chito Salud has approved the trade deal sending the signing rights for Borboran to Meralco in exchange for the Bolts’ second round picks in 2013 and 2014. Meralco has five days to match the playing contract Petron offered Borboran.

 Petron plays with only an 11-man lineup minus Borboran and injured players Jay Washington and Rabeh Al-Hussaini.

The Boosters, the Governors Cup champs, are likely to face a tough challenge going up against a B-Meg side optimistic of a bright future under Cone.

Also a big source of inspiration and motivation for the Llamados are the return of key players Kerby Raymundo, Rafi Reavis and Rico Maierhofer.  

Casio may sit out at least Powerade’s first three games but coach Bo Perasol said his team nonetheless is raring to come out and try to get a good start in the season.

“We are determined to change our fortunes. It’s going to take some time to achieve cohesion with our new acquisitions but we are going to take the right steps towards our goal,” said Perasol.

The Tigers are coming off a woeful season that saw them won only nine of 31 outings. They were ninth placers in the first two conferences and seventh in the Governors Cup.

They’re upbeat they can improve with several new recruits including Casio, Lassiter, James Martinez, Rudy Lingganay, Romel Adducul, Doug Kramer, Josh Vanlandingham and Alex Crisano.

They’re up tonight against a team made up of players out to prove they belong in the league.

“My players are pretty much excited. Majority of them feel like they’re rookies because they hardly played in their previous teams. We’ll see if the chemistry is already there,” said Pumaren.

Pumaren, a UAAP champion coach with La Salle, has at his disposal a mix of rookies and journeymen.