PBA PREVIEW PART 1

THE 37TH SEASON of the Philippine Basketball Association will start this Sunday (October 2, 2011). This will be an exciting season for the basketball fans because of some notable players/coaches movements. Similarly, the much-awaited Smart Gilas players who recently gave our country a 4th place finish will finally show their stuff in the professional level. Let us now discuss the the first group of teams. 

• ALASKA ACES
• Key Returnees: LA Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio, and Sonny Thoss ( The Big three of the Aces are expected to lead their team to the championship level of competition. With the loss of Coach Tim Cone, this players must initiate to motivate their teammates.)
• Key Loss: Tim Cone ( No explanation needed, 22 years of leadership to the Aces is no joke. But no worries for the fans of the Aces, Coach Joel Banal is a good choice to change Coach Cone.)
• Key Acquisitions: Marnel Baracael, Eric Salamat ( With the aging Tony DelaCruz, a versatile guy like Marnel will be a good predecessor. Meanwhile, adding former Eagle Eric Salamat will stabilize the troubled guard position of the Aces.)
• Big Question: What will happpen to Mark Borboran?
• Prediction: Aces will play around 5th-7th position in the elimination round, but with the cohesion of the team, we will see a better aces come play off time.

• BARAKO BULL
• Key Returnee: Danny Siegle ( With the Dynamite getting back to his  old self, this will bring excitement for the Fans of Barako (With the Ube Republic Fans too). It will be a good sight of having a scoring tandem of Siegle-Miller. )
• Key Losses: Coach Bong Ramos, 3rd pick of the 2011 draft ( Obviously, many would think that the loss Dondon Hontiveros is a key loss for Bull, but let us think about it, having the Cebuano Hot Shot with the Thriller is not good for the team. The first key loss for me is Coach Bong, he had done a good job last season for the Air21 Franchise. That 3rd pick was the biggest lost for me. C'mon!!!!  Giving away the likes of Lutz, Lassiter or even Baracael???? )
• Key Acquisitions: Willie Miller, Mick Pennisi, The two rookie tigers ( There's no doubt, the attitude era of Barako Franchise is back! And adding the Ababou and Maliksi will add the scoring of their bench.)
• Big Question: When is the next lopsided trade?
• Prediction: With expected vengeance of Willie Miller, with the intense coaching side of Coach Junel, and with the Bumangga Giba attitude is back, we will see this team as a top 8 team.

• MERALCO BOLTS
• Key Returnees: Sol Mercado, Asi Taulava, Mac Cardona ( The chemistry between the Sol Train and Captain Hook is important to determine the sucess of the Bolts this season. Also, the Rejuvenated Asi Taulava will give the team an inspiration story that "age doesn't matter".)
• Key Loss: None ( Meralco has one of the best preseason player movements this year. Definitely, their roster becomes stronger. )
• Key Acquisition: Mac Macapagal ( Giving enough confidence, this 2 time 3 point shoot out champion will gave opponent's defense a headache.)
• Big Question: CHEMISTRY?
• Prediction: As what as I always say, If the Chemistry of this team will work, they are a top 6 team.

• SHOPINAS CLICKERS
• Key Returnee: NA ( New team)
• Key Loss: NA ( New Team )
• Key Acquisition: Elmer Espiritu ( This will definitely be the time of Elmer Espiritu. He will finally gets the deserve time. )
• Big Question: Can you get more productive players?
• Prediction: This team will compete, by I don't see this team to be a competitive team. A 10th place finish is the logical choice.  

• TALK n TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS
• Key Returnees: Core of the Championship team ( Changes is not necessary for this team. Definitely a strong team!)
• Key Loss: MARK YEE ( Talk n Text will not be the same with this comic guy! LOL )
• Key Acquisition: Japeth Aguilar ( Man, adding him with the rotation of the Texters will just make this team SCARIER. It's nice to be Jimmy Alapag this time, just toss the ball near the rim, either Kwill or Japeth will get that for a monster slam!! Sometimes, the world is not fair.)
• Big Question: GRANDSLAM?
• Prediction: This team is strong both in papers and in hardwood. A Finals appearance will be the least they will get this conference. But be careful with the other teams (especially the SMC TEAMS), having mistakes can gave them a run for their money.

Part two, COMING SOON...

" Philip Zuñiga is a graduate of Philippine Normal University. He is a certified sports fan since 1996. "