PBA Teams: A Second Look

ALASKA ACES

• Intact roster – no player movements in the Alaska Camp except for drafting significant players in the PBA Draft: Mac Baracael, Julius Pasculado and Eric Salamat.
• New coach, old system – with the departure of Tim Cone, the Aces elevate Joel Banal as their new head coach. Banal said that he will still use the triangle system but he will install new plays for the team.
• Projected First Five: C – Sonny Thoss, PF – Tony dela Cruz, SF – Mac Baracael, SG – Cyrus Baguio, PG – LA Tenorio.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Julius Pasculado

BMEG LLAMADOS

• New Coach, New System – with Tim Cone at the helm, expect that the Llamados will execute the famous triangle system.
• New Players: Marc Barocca, John Ferriols
• Projected First Five: C – Rafi Reavis, PF – Kerby Raymundo, SF – Joe Devance, SG – James Yap, PG – Mac Barocca.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Mac Barocca

BARAKO BULL

• New Coach, Old Players (age factor) – Junel Baculi will handle the team and the team is composed of 90% veterans.
• New Players: Willie Miller, Don Allado, Allein Maliksi, Dylan Ababou, Sunday Salvacion
• Projected First Five: C – Dorian Pena, PF – Don Allado, SF – Danny Seigle, SG – Willie Miller, PG – Wynne Arboleda.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Dylan Ababou

BARANGAY GINEBRA

• New Coaches, Old and Small Players (age /height factor) – Siot and Jong will handle the team. Again, the team is composed of guards and guards.
• New Players: Riel Cervantes, Art dela Cruz (returning asst. coach)
• Projected First Five: C – Eric Menk, PF – Willy Wilson, SF – Ronald Tubid, SG – Mark Caguioa, PG – Jayjay Helterbrand.
• Dark Horse of the Team: John Wilson and Jimbo Aquino

MERALCO BOLTS

• No major player movements except for having four “MARK” in the team – Isip, Cardona, Yee and Macapagal.
• New Players: Mark Macapagal, Mark Yee, Bryan Faundo
• Projected First Five: C – Asi Taulava, PF – Reynel Hugnatan, SF – Nelbert Omolon, SG – Mark Cardona, PG – Sol Mercado.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Mark Macapagal

PETRON BLAZE BOOSTERS

• No major player movements
• New Players: Dondon Hontiveros, Carlos Sharma, Chris Lutz
• Projected First Five: C – Noy Baclao, PF – Arwind Santos, SF – Chris Lutz, SG – Dondon Hontiveros, PG – Alex Cabagnot.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Chris Lutz (Defensive Player of the Year)

POWERADE TIGERS

• New Players, Same Coach (sigh)
• New Players: Doug Kramer, Josh Vandalingham, JV Casio, Marcio Lassiter, Rommel Adducul, Alex Crisano, Kenneth Duremdes (please, you are not Michael Jordan)
• Projected First Five: C – Alex Crisano, PF – Doug Kramer, SF – Marcio Lassiter, SG – Gary David, PG – JV Casio.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Marcio Lassiter

RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS

• Same old but effective lineup!
• New Players: Paul Lee, JR Quinahan,
• Projected First Five: C – Beau Belga, PF – Larry Rodriguez, SF – Gabe Norwood, SG – Ronjay Buenafe, PG – Paul Lee.
• Dark Horse of the Team: Paul Lee (PBA ROY)

SHOPINAS CLICKERS

• New Coach, New Players, New Team, Awful Name.
• New Players: Renren Ritualo, RJ Jazul, Elmer Espiritu, Paolo Hubalde
• Projected First Five: I have no idea!
• Dark Horse of the Team: Franz Pumaren’s bigote (moustache)

TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS

• Intact Roster
• New Players: Japeth Aguilar
• Projected First Five: C – Japeth Aguilar, PF – Harvey Carey, SF – Kelly Williams, SG – Jared Dillinger, PG – Jimmy Alapag
• Dark Horse of the Team: Jason Castro (PBA MVP)