Merry-go-round

In easily the most dynamic offseason ever in PBA history, at least 40 veterans changed uniforms and close to 30 rookies were signed up as the pro league gets ready to inaugurate its 41st campaign at the Smart Araneta Coliseum next Sunday.

Only one game is scheduled on the first day with Rain Or Shine taking on the Star Hotshots. But the Big Dome will be packed to the rafters for sure with the PBA expected to give the fans a treat in a lavish opening program, including the traditional parade of teams and muses. The season’s first twinbill will feature Barako Bull against Mahindra and Barangay Ginebra against Meralco at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Of the nearly 30 rookies in rosters, one was drafted in 2013 and another was not picked in 2014. Ateneo’s Roy Sumalinog was chosen on the fourth round by Talk ‘N’ Text in the 2013 draft but never made it until finally cracking the lineup for this season. Jose Rizal’s Philip Paniamogan was left out of the 2014 draft and battled his way to earn a slot with Globalport.

 Another would-be rookie Frank Bonifacio, a Fil-Am guard from Las Positas College in Livermore, California, was picked up by Ginebra as a practice player. Bonifacio was undrafted last year. Two other hopefuls brought in as practice players were Michael Mabulac of San Miguel Beer and Joseph Sedurifa of Meralco. Letran star Mark Cruz is an option for the Hotshots but coach Jason Webb said he’ll wait for the NCAA season to end before deciding on whether or not to recruit the spitfirish guard.

Blackwater enlisted four rookies, namely Art de la Cruz (finishing the NCAA season with San Beda), Almond Vosotros, Jason Melano and Keith Agovida. The Elite welcomed back Ateneo guard Juami Tiongson and took in veterans Mike Cortez, James Sena and Carlo Lastimosa via trades. Struck out were Sunday Salvacion, Brian Heruela (to San Miguel), Bryan Faundo (to Meralco), Chris Timberlake, Robbie Celiz, Eddie Laure (to Mahindra) and Val Acuña. Returning are Reil Cervantes, Jeric Canada, Bambam Gamalinda, Jason Ballesteros, Frank Golla, Gilbert Bulawan, Raphy Reyes and J. P. Erram. Coach Leo Isaac is banking on more youth than experience in trying to turn Blackwater into a contender.

Mahindra and Barako Bull top the list with the most veteran recruits. The Enforcers created space by moving out J. R. Buensuceso, Hans Thiele, J. R. Cawaling, Jason Deutchman, Leo Avenido and Mike Burtscher. Assistant coach Chito Victolero, calling the shots in playing head coach Manny Pacquiao’s behalf, brought in John Pinto from Globalport, Papot Paredes and Paolo Hubalde from Barako Bull, Aldrech Ramos and K. G. Canaleta from NLEX and Laure from Blackwater.

Under negotiation is the transfer of Juneric Baloria from NLEX. Mahindra’s rookies are Bradwyn Guinto, Leo de Vera and Mike DiGregorio. Jonathan Parreno was retained as a practice player. Coming back from last season for Mahindra are L. A. Revilla, Joshua Webb, Hyram Bagatsing, Kyle Pascual, Kenneth Ighalo, Rich Alvarez, Mark Yee, Karl Dehesa and Alex Nuyles.

Barako Bull’s new veterans are Jeric Fortuna from San Miguel, Prince Caperal from Globalport, Mick Pennisi from Star and Josh Urbiztondo, Mac Baracael, Jens Knuttel and Emman Monfort from Barangay Ginebra. Rookies are San Sebastian’s Michael Miranda and La Salle’s Yutien Andrada.

To make room for the reinforcements, coach Koy Banal displaced Joseph Yeo (to Globalport), Nico Salva (to Barangay Ginebra), Justin Chua (to Meralco), Lastimosa (to Blackwater), Hubalde (to Mahindra), Jake Pascual (to Star) and Dylan Ababou (to Talk ‘N’ Text). Banal’s returnees are R. R. Garcia, Chico Lanete, Willie Wilson, Rico Maierhofer, Paul Sorongon, James Forrester and Gilas forward J. C. Intal.

At Alaska, it was almost all quiet at the Aces front. Coach Alex Compton’s only veteran casualty was Paolo Bugia. Josh Vanlandingham remains in the reserve list and may only be reactivated if one of Alaska’s five Fil-Ams is moved out. A PBA team has a limit of five Fil-foreigners. Compton, however, is taking in four rookies Kevin Racal of Letran, Marion Magat of NU, Jaypee Mendoza of San Beda and Abel Galliguez of John Brown University.

“Our lineup has changed a bit,” said Compton. “First of all, Paolo won’t be back with us. He’s a fine gentleman and the epitome of what a coach would want and it was an honor working with him. We’ve added four rookies and after that, everyone else is back. Technically, Josh is our sixth Fil-Am so he can’t be activated until another Fil-Am has to be put on the injured reserve (list).”

Returning to the Alaska fold are three Gilas veterans Calvin Abueva, Dondon Hontiveros and Sonny Thoss. Also back are Jvee Casio, Chris Banchero, Vic Manuel, Noy Baclao, Rome de la Rosa, Ping Excimiano, Sam Eman, Eric Menk, R. J. Jazul and Tony de la Cruz.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone is awaiting Scottie Thompson’s arrival from Perpetual Help in the NCAA. Two other rookies in his cast are UST’s Aljon Mariano and NU’s Lee Villamor. Veteran recruits are Salva from Barako and Joe De Vance from Star. Gone are Baracael, Knuttel, Monfort, Urbiztondo and Dorian Peña (to Globalport). Bonifacio will be a rookie-in-waiting.

The PBA’s crowd darling will bring back Mark Caguioa, Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Sol Mercado, L. A. Tenorio, Dave Marcelo, Greg Slaughter, Japeth Aguilar, Rodney Brondial and Chris Ellis. It’s a test for Cone to transform the run-and-gun Ginebra squad into a precise, halfcourt unit that will execute the triangle offense. Calling in De Vance from Star was a master stroke. The Speaker is a key triangle operator who thrives in Tex Winter’s patented system. His influence will play a big role in getting the Ginebra holdovers to work together with a new approach.

In Tuesday’s column, we’ll review the lineups of the remaining teams the Star Hotshots, San Miguel Beer, Rain Or Shine, Globalport, Talk ‘N’ Text, Meralco and NLEX.