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[av_heading heading=’PBA Philippine Cup opener: Beermen vs Phoenix ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – San Miguel Beermen will begin its title-retention bid when it faces Phoenix Fuel Masters at the start of the 2017-2018 PBA Philippine Cup tonight at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The 6:30 match will follow an opening ceremony at 5 that will feature 12 teams parading with their respective muses.
Save for some minor changes in its supporting cast, Beermen still has the same core that led the team to three consecutive All-Filipino Conference titles.
It includes June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Gabby Espinas, Brian Heruela, Yancy de Ocampo, Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser, Von Pessumal, Keith Agovida, and David Semerad.
Newcomers comprise rookie Louie Vigil, veterans Billy Mamaril and Chico Lanete, and Michael Mabulac, who was activated from the reserve list.
“The pressure of winning the championship is always there,” said head coach Leo Austria.
“Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila na we have to live up to the expectation for us to improve,” he added. “You have to work hard. Iyong mga inaasahan sa amin, kailangan maipakita namin.”
Fuel Masters will showcase not just rookies Jason Perkins and Jamieson Cortes and new acquisitions LA Revilla, Justin Chua, Rey Guevarra, and Jaypee Mendoza, but also its new coach Louie Alas.
“We’re still a few pieces away from being a contender,” Alas said. “I always want my team to play high-energy defense. May pressure sa akin as coach since gusto nila na may makitang pagbabago from last season.”
Still with Fuel Masters were Negrense Jeffrei Chan, RJ Jazul, JC Intal, Doug Kramer, Angelo Alolino, Joseph Eriobu, Marvin Hayes, William Wilson, and Karl Dehesa./PN
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