SMB mounts 4-peat in Phl Cup

Game today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5 p.m. – Opening ceremonies

6:30 p.m. – San Miguel vs Phoenix

MANILA, Philippines — Denied of a grand slam last conference, San Miguel Beer starts another big quest – an unprecedented Philippine Cup four-peat – as it takes on a Phoenix Petroleum squad in a lone opening game in the PBA Season 43 inaugurals tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen, fancied to keep their domination of the field with their highly formidable lineup, and the Fuel Masters, hoping for a breakthrough with an overhauled roster under new coach Louie Alas, clash at 6:30 p.m. after the opening rites that will deviate from the previous ceremonies owing to the unresolved conflict within the PBA board.

There will be no welcome remarks from the league commissioner, and still being resolved at press time is the one who will do the honor of declaring the season open.

Traditionally, the role belongs to the league chairman. However, GlobalPort owner Mikee Romero has served his term, but the board has yet to meet for the formal turnover of chairmanship to incoming chair Mon Fernandez of NLEX.

An option is for the 12 governors to share the chore to declare the season open in a display of semblance of accord and unanimity.

The league is still in crisis with the board deeply divided over the tenure of commissioner Chito Narvasa. Seven teams are for his dismissal while five are batting for status quo.

But they all agree that the season should go on.

The opening ceremonies will not have much fanfare but will have the traditional parade of teams with their beautiful muses.

Among the muses are Phoemela Baranda for Kia, Ashley Ortega for Blackwater, Myrtle Sarrosa for Barangay Ginebra, Rhian Ramos for Phoenix, Rachel Anne Daquis for NLEX, Hillarie Parungao for GlobalPort, Jodie Tarasek for San Miguel and Laura Lehmann for TNT KaTropa.

Then the Beermen and the Fuel Masters slug it out in the game to get the season on.

It’s Kia Picanto against NLEX and Magnolia (formerly Star) opposite Alaska Milk in the second play date on Wednesday at the The Arena in San Juan.

Blackwater tangles with Meralco and Rain or Shine tackles TNT KaTropa on Friday over at the Cuneta Astrodome then Governors Cup repeat champ Barangay Ginebra finally debuts in the season opposite Magnolia in a Christmas Day setto at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.