PBA teams ready for launch

MANILA, Philippines — Ready to roll.

The absence of tuneup games notwithstanding, PBA teams are all pumped up for battle as the pro league finally unwraps Season 46 on Friday at the Yñares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

“We’re ready to get back to work. We’ve waited seven months for this,” Meralco Bolts coach Norman Black told The STAR.

“We’ve been practicing for five to six weeks now and I think we’re in pretty good shape,” he added.

Ginebra counterpart Tim Cone said the Gin Kings can’t wait to start their Philippine Cup title defense.

“I think we’re all tired of practicing against ourselves. The guys are ready for games. We’re all excited. This is a long time coming,” said Cone.

The 12 ballclubs have been gearing up for the delayed season opener by conducting full-contact scrimmages since May in lower risk areas like Batangas, Pampanga and Ilocos Norte.

Largely due to the quarantine restrictions, though, they couldn’t hold pre-season tuneup matches.

“To be honest, without having any tuneup games, it’s hard to gauge where we are as a team. Preparation time has been enough but being able to play against an opponent gives great insight on where the team is and what needs to be improved on,” said Alaska’s Jeff Cariaso.

“Like all teams, we just need to be ready to battle on July 16,” he added.

The squads are just as prepared to have the discipline and adhere to the strict guidelines set for the “closed-circuit” games.

“No doubt it will be another challenge to all of us but our priority is clear: We have to be extremely careful in protecting ourselves and other people,” said San Miguel Beer team manager Gee Abanilla.

“Even though we are fully vaccinated already, we have to be disciplined in all things that we do and we have to use discernment in all decisions we make,” he added.