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By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – The San Miguel Beermen begins its quest for a three-peat victory when itcollides with new-look Star Hotshots at the start of 2016-2017 PBAPhilippine Cup today at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen-Hotshots battle will take place right after theaustere opening ceremony at 4 p.m., where the 12 teams will paradetheir players and respective muses.
The Beermen has been tagged the “team-to-beat” in the All-FilipinoConference with its intact lineup led by three-time PBA MVP June MarFajardo, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross.
Also in the Beermen roster are Yancy de Ocampo, Ronald Tubid, GabbyEspinas, Jay-R Reyes, Brian Heruela, David Semerad, RR Garcia, KeithAgovida and rookies Arnold Van Opstal, and Rashawn McCarthy.
“Kasama naman talaga yung pressure (ng pagiging team-to-beat) e, andyan naman yan palagi,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria. “Basta ang sabi ko sa players ko, hind dapat kami paapekto sa pressure.”
“Kami naman larolang, always give our best,” he added. “Hindi na dapat naming isipin nakailangan ganito o kalian ganganyan. Basta naman ibinigay naming yung best, something good will happen.”
The Hotshots, on the other hand, underwent a massive revamp during theoff-season with new head coach Chito Victolero and the entry of Paul Lee and Aldrech Ramos, and rookies Jio Jalalon, Chris Javier, Samboy de Leon, and Mon Abundo.
“We have a new system and that’s defense. Since from the very start ofmy coaching career, defense is the main part of my system,” Victolerosaid. “I’m really happy that they gave me the opportunity to coach theStar Hotshots.”
Also bannering the Hotshots are Mark Barroca, AlleinMaliksi, PeterJune Simon, Jean Marc Pingris, Justin Melton, Rafi Reavis, IanSangalang, Rodney Brondial, and Jake Pascual./PN
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