NLEX, Phoenix, Dyip ready vs elite squads?

MANILA, Philippines — Officials of the Philippine Basketball Association are one in the belief that the traditional powers would still be there but the league’s young franchises could well provide the excitement in their similar bids for a major breakthrough.

NLEX, Blackwater, Columbian Dyip and Phoenix Petroleum all made serious efforts to fill the holes in their respective lineups, giving them good prospects at shaking the league ladder in the season that unwraps Sunday at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“The three SMC teams will still be the teams to beat, but it’s interesting to see how Blackwater, Columbian, NLEX and Phoenix play,” said PBA board vice chairman Dickie Bachmann during the official launch of PBA Season 44 at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.

NLEX is toughened up by the return of Kevin Alas and the team’s acquisition of Poy Erram, Columbian has got fresh blood from key rookie acquisitions led by top draft pick CJ Perez while Phoenix is to run with its tank loaded on its trade acquisitions of Alex Mallari, Dave Marcelo and John Pinto.

Blackwater has had its revamp in an effort to have a more potent mix. However, the Elite were suddenly hit by problems with Bobby Ray Parks, Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Pinto.

“Our team has got smaller, but we will be there fighting,” said Blackwater top official Silliman Sy.

The Road Warriors showed a great potential in their five-point drubbing of the TNT KaTropa Texters in a tune-up last Dec. 30.

 “NLEX has developed with the addition of Erram,” noted Meralco’s Al Panlilio.

Phoenix Petroleum coach Louie Alas includes NLEX in his list of the teams to watch in the season that fires off with the opening game between Barangay Ginebra and TNT KaTropa.

NLEX has actually hit strides last season on its semifinal finish in the Philippine Cup.

The Road Warriors, however, were good for only ninth overall in the season in terms of winning percentage.

San Miguel and Magnolia were tied at the top with identical 36-21 cumulative win-loss records, followed by Ginebra (35-22), Alaska (31-20), Rain or Shine (20-21), TNT (18-19), Phoenix (17-19), Meralco (19-22), NLEX (17-25), Blackwater (13-21), NorthPort (13-23) and Columbian Dyip (6-27).

In the last Philippine Cup, San Miguel piled up 17 wins against five losses. Ranked second was Magnolia (14-9), then Alaska (7-6), NLEX (10-9), Ginebra (9-9), Rain or Shine (6-7), TNT (6-7), Blackwater (5-6), Phoenix (5-7), NorthPort (5-7), Meralco (4-7) and Columbian (1-10).

League officials, however, expect a shakeup in the coming tourney where the Kings and the Texters lock horns after elaborate rites ushered in by the Leo Awards.

It’s Blackwater versus NorthPort then Phoenix Petroleum against Meralco in the season’s first double-header on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum before Philippine Cup champ San Miguel Beer begins its title defense opposite Columbian Dyip Friday over at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Also on Friday, Rain or Shine and NLEX mix it up in the 7 p.m. mainer.

The first week of action in the new season will be capped by a Saturday twinbill at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo where Meralco and Blackwater slug it out at 4:30 p.m. then TNT and Phoenix square off at 6:45 p.m.

Governors Cup champ Magnolia and runner-up Alaska Milk play their first game in the season on Feb. 3. It’s the Hotshots versus the Texters and the Aces opposite the Elasto Painters.