By REYNALD MAGALLON
After the PBA rallied hand-in-hand for Gilas Pilipinas’ historic gold medal run in the Asian Games, the Board of Governors is setting the bond of friendship that had formed aside as they vow to go for war in the upcoming 48th Season Commissioner Cup.
With the league formally firing off on Nov. 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Governors are making sure that there will be no stones left unturned as they expect a more even playing field this time around.
The efforts to improve the team’s respected rosters during the offseason was actually enough to debunk any notions that only teams from the two biggest conglomerates in the PBA – the San Miguel Corporation and the MVP group – are the only squads fighting for the title.
“All the teams have actually strengthened their lineups whether from the draft or free agency. So the attribution of this and those teams, independent or what not, I think we have to veer away from that na kasi if you look at the team they all strengthened,” noted Phoenix governor Raymond Zorilla.
“We will always be fighting regardless kahit sino we will be fighting so hopefully each team and each protagonist will bring out the best from the other so that’s competition is all about,” he added.
The competitive nature of the league should be a step towards the right direction in the PBA’s bid to reinvigorate the league and fully recover from the after effects of the pandemic.
“Overarching battlecry namin. We always says let’s bring the PBA back to normal scene, back to three conference back to being able to reinvigorate the PBA and bring the league back to where we are pre pandemic,” said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.
Teams have bolstered their respective lineups as they are also set to parade a mix of marquee imports for the conference along with the up-and-coming rookies from the draft.
Terrafirma, which have added top overall pick of the recent draft in Stephen Holt, and Blackwater, which tapped Christian David as its second pick, have vowed to put up a fight as they navigate their way up from the cellar of the past seasons.
Other teams like Phoenix, Converge and Rain or Shine have also added potent weapons to close the gaps in terms of talents against perennial contenders like San Miguel, Magnolia, Ginebra, TNT and Meralco.
“We will be serious contenders. We have new players,” declared Rain or Shine governor Atty. Mert Mondragon. “We will be a fighting team,” seconded Dyip governor Bobby Rosales.
