NorthPort and Rain or Shine are both looking to sustain the gains from their semifinals appearance last conference when they make their debut in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup against separate foes Saturday, April 12, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Batang Pier, led by the Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference Arvin Tolentino, are the first to open their all-Filipino bid when they take on Terrafirma Dyip in the first opening at 5 p.m.
The Elasto Painters, whose aim is to keep their semis streak for a fourth straight conference, begin their quest for that goal against the NLEX Road Warriors in the second offering at 7:30 p.m.
Without an import like Kadeem Jack, who is a vital part of the franchise-best finish in the elimination and historic semis run, the pressure to prove that its rise is no fluke is now on the shoulders of the NorthPort locals.
Tolentino, though, still has Joshua Munzon, Will Navarro and a solid guard rotation in Fran Yu and Evan Nelle although they will have a huge void to fill at the center position especially after also the departure of JM Calma.
The Dyip should also provide a potent challenge to the Batang Pier, especially after splitting their first two assignments in the conference.
Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle and young studs Mark Nonoy and Louie Sangalang are expected to lead Terrafirma.
Unlike NorthPort, though, Rain or Shine is looking well-equipped for its all-Filipino run especially with its local depth.
The Elasto Painters also seemed to have finally discovered their own bonafide star in Adrian Nocum who made head turns during their playoff run.
Add the likes of Santi Santillan, Andrei Caracut, the fit-again Gian Mamuyac and the veteran leadership of Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood, ROS is looking like a force to be reckoned with in the all-Filipino
Out to quickly put that to test are Robert Bolick and the Road Warriors, who are looking to bounce back from an opening day defeat against San Miguel.
