One ticket for triplebill

You’ll need only one ticket to enjoy the triplebill that the PBA has lined up at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 4. Unlike in the UAAP where separate tickets are sold for a doubleheader, PBA special assistant to the commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed it’s a 1-for-3 deal.

The first game is scheduled at 3 p.m. pitting Barako Bull against Global Port. Then, at 5:15 p.m., it’s Meralco against Rain Or Shine. Finally, at 7:30 p.m., San Mig Coffee battles Barangay Ginebra. Fans will pay for the cost of a ticket for just the San Mig-Ginebra game so they’re getting a double bonus.

Marcial said the 70-game eliminations will end on Dec. 9 and the schedule was purposely crammed to keep to the deadline. There’s even a rare Saturday twinbill on Oct. 20 with Rain Or Shine against Global Port and San Mig Coffee against Talk ‘N’ Text, a potential box office blockbuster.

To get the show on the road, the PBA opened the season with a spectacular program at the Big Dome last Sunday. All 10 teams showed up with players, coaches and muses in a parade that will long be remembered for its glitz, glitter and glamor. The crowd of 18,901 got its money’s worth. Marcial said it was the largest attendance for a PBA opening day in recent memory, clearly a portent of things to come. 

The inaugural game wasn’t close but it had exciting moments. Barangay Ginebra trounced Global Port, 110-90, behind a balanced attack that coach Siot Tanquingcen hopes will be a trademark for the Kings. Batang Pier staged a furious rally in the fourth period, coming back from 22 down to trim the deficit to eight but Ginebra refused to be snowed under. The Kings held on to break it open down the stretch with newly-acquired L.A. Tenorio leading the charge. Tenorio finished with only two points but made his presence felt with nine rebounds, 10 assists and two steals in 28 minutes.

Ginebra wound up with 32 assists compared to Global’s 12, playing unselfish basketball as eight Kings collected at least two feeds. In the offseason, Tanquingcen promised a return to Ginebra’s run-and-gun style. Last campaign, Ginebra ranked No. 8 in fastbreak points with only 7.6 an outing. Against Global, the Kings scored 18 points in transition, delivering a strong message that they’re back to playing at full throttle.

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Six Ginebra players hit in twin digits led by reigning MVP Mark Caguioa’s 18. Rico Maierhofer registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Same with Billy Mamaril who had 14 points and 12 boards. Rookie Keith Jensen displayed an impeccable touch from the perimeter and chipped in 13 points, 5-of-7 from the field. Another rookie Chris Ellis added 12 before fouling out. Rudy Hatfield contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Kerby Raymundo, settled in at the No. 5 spot, came through with eight points, three rebounds and three assists.

With Enrico Villanueva gone to Barako and Eric Menk on the reserve list, Ginebra’s frontline didn’t lack for effort under the boards. The Kings outrebounded Global, 55-28, and hit more second chance points, 17-6.

For Global, the spirit was evident but chemistry is a work in progress. Gary David was mainly shadowed by Ellis and couldn’t buy a bucket until the fourth period. David was scoreless in the first three quarters but still finished with nine. Willie Miller picked up the scoring cudgels and erupted for 26. Imagine how dangerous Global could be with David and Miller in the groove.  

Although Global emerged from Powerade’s ashes, it’s a radically different team. Global has four rookies and three veterans who joined in the off-season – seven new faces for coach Glenn Capacio to blend. Jvee Casio’s gone and his absence was telling with Global recording only 12 assists. Last season, Powerade was No. 1 in assists with a 21.9 clip. Starting quarterback Rudy Lingganay scored 14 points, 12 in the first period, but had no assist. Back-up A.J. Mandani, a rookie, showed a lot of spunk with his aggressive play on both ends and looks promising. Mandani, 25, had heads turning with his razzle-dazzle style. He tallied 13 points, on 6-of-6 from the field, including a triple. Mandani also collected two rebounds, three assists and two steals in only 18 minutes.

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Former PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy, owner of the D-League team Blackwater, applauded Mandani’s performance. “A.J. was our point guard with Blackwater,” said Sy. “He’s unstoppable in the open court, strong driving to the basket and quick.” Mandani, born in Canada, played NCAA Division II hoops at the University of Missouri-Rolla, now known as Missouri University of Science and Technology. His mother Maria is a Filipina.

Bogart Raymundo, 30, made his long-overdue debut in the PBA with Global. He wasn’t picked in the 2008 draft and now joins the league with other undrafted players like Lingganay, Chico Lanete, Mark Yee and Josh Urbiztondo. Global team owner Mikee Romero gave the 6-5 Raymundo a break to make his mark in the PBA. Raymundo is the first San Beda Alabang player to wear a PBA jersey. He was an Asean import with Kuala Lumpur in the ABL two seasons back and last campaign, played with the Philippine Patriots, co-owed by Romero. 

Global team manager B.J. Manalo was a welcome sight in the PBA. He was drafted on the second round by Purefoods in 2005 but never got to play in the pros because of injuries. Manalo, a celebrated player in the UAAP ranks, is finally in the PBA family. 

The opening game showcased the skills of six rookies – Jensen, Ellis, Mandani, Raymundo, Vic Manuel and Jason Deutchman. Jensen’s Filipina mother Lori or Vernalou Reyes was at courtside. She was born in Angeles City and married a serviceman David Jensen of Illinois. Lori has remarried. She was in town for four days and returned to the US yesterday. Keith is the oldest of her four children.  

Deutchman, who turned 26 last week, played at San Diego State, an NCAA Division I school, and a teammate was Kawhi Leonard, now with the San Antonio Spurs. Manuel, 25, was the ninth overall pick in the last draft out of PSBA. He was officially measured at 6-2 7/8 by the PBA after years of being recognized as a 6-5 power forward. Manuel led the D-League in scoring last conference with a 16.9 clip and was eighth in rebounding with 7.5 a game.