Games today
Philippine Arena, Bocaue, Bulacan
1:00 p.m.- Opening Ceremonies
3:00 p.m.- Kia vs. Blackwater
5:15 p.m.- Barangay Ginebra vs. Talk ‘N Text
Two new teams get their baptism of fire at each other’s expense while two veteran squads tipped to make a lot of noise collide as the 40th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) formally starts today at the newly built Philippine Arena, touted as the world’s largest indoor stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The season-opening conference dubbed as the Philippine Cup will kick things off with a grandiose opening ceremonies at 1 p.m.
Then at 3 p.m., Filipino boxing hero Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao marks his debut as a professional basketball player when the Kia Sorentos take on fellow expansion team Blackwater Elite.
The 5:15 p.m. main game will have the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters going up against the crowd darlings Barangay Ginebra Kings.
It would be interesting how the five-foot-six playing head coach Pacquiao will fare in his first official game in the pro-league.
Pacquiao suited up for Kia in a pre-season game, scoring one point and tallying rebound in the team’s 77-88 loss to the same Blackwater squad early this month.
The league will have a record of 12 teams following the inclusion of Kia, Blackwater and the NLEX Road Warriors, who acquired the Air21 franchise.
Other teams are the defending champions Purefoods Star Hotshots (formerly San Mig Coffee), Alaska Aces, Barako Bull Energy Colas, GlobalPort Batang Pier, Meralco Bolts, San Miguel Beermen, and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
“The team is excited. We’ll be out there already thinking that we’re going to play before 50,000 fans,” said Blackwater head coach Leo Isaac in an inquirer.net report.
One of the interesting sidelights will be the parade of muses.
Kia will have Pacquiao’s wife and Sarangani vice-governor Jinkee Pacquiao.
Miss World 2013 Megan Young was tapped to accompany Talk ‘N Text, while Miss Philippines Universe 2014 MJ Lastimosa will be the muse of Purefoods.
Miss International 2013 first runner-up Natalie Den Dekker and Mutya ng Pilipinas Cordillera Glennifer Perido will parade for Barako Bull and Rain or Shine, respectively.
Globalport reportedly planned to bring in volleyball stars Rachel Anne Daquis and former La Salle team captain Cha Cruz.
Michelle Gumabao, a former DLSU spiker, will be the muse of Alaska. Other muses are Ritz Azul for Meralco, Sunshine Cruz for Blackwater, Ellen Adarna for Barangay Ginebra, Alice Dixson for San Miguel, and Dianne Medina for NLEX.
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