FOUR more teams make their season debut when they see action in the 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup today, November 23.
Two perennial contenders quickly go at it as TNT Katropa and retooled Rain or Shine collide at 7 p.m. in the main event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Prior to that, squads who are eager to have better campaigns take the stage as Blackwater and Phoenix Petroleum meet at 4:15 p.m. in the opening game.
While the Tropang Texters are set to parade an intact and familiar line-up, eyes will be on the Elasto Painters as they surprisingly revamped their roster in the off-season.
Usual Rain or Shine suspects led by coach Yeng Guiao, former star Paul Lee and reliable big man JR Quinahan will no longer be around for the Elasto Painters. They will now have to move forward with holdovers Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga, Raymund Almazan and new additions in veteran faces James Yap and Jay Washington.
The Elasto Painters, who are now being handled by head coach Caloy Garcia again, however, will have to wait longer to have Yap who is set to miss the team’s first two games due to foot injury.
Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier and Kelly Williams are still the names who will lead the fight for the Tropang Texters.
One significant change that TNT implemented was changing its head coach. Nash Racela is now the team’s mentor, replacing Jong Uichico.
However, Racela is set to miss the team’s first several games as he still needs to finish his commitment with FEU in the UAAP. The Tamaraws are set to play in the Final Four this week.
Deputy coach Josh Reyes will temporarily call the shots for the Texters until Racela becomes available.
The debut of prized rookie Mac Belo is also being eagerly awaited by many fans.
Belo, the top overall choice from the Smart Gilas cadets, will make his debut for the Elite. He will have a lot on his shoulder with his team counting on him and his abilities to turn their fortunes around.
Another rookie who is eagerly awaited is Ael Banal gets his chance to introduce himself to the league.
Over at the Phoenix camp, a healthy JC Intal and Cyrus Baguio are expected to spearhead the fight. They will now have some help from rookie Matthew Wright, the team’s Smart Gilas cadet pick.