Terrence Romeo struts stuff with SMB

Perez Debuts With Dyip

Games today (Cuneta Astrodome)

4:30 p.m. – Columbian Dyip vs San Miguel

7 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines — Top draft selection CJ Perez and No. 6 pick Javee Mocon make their pro debut while Terrence Romeo and Poy Erram strut their stuff with their new teams in the third play date of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome tonight.

Perez, Mocon, Romeo and Erram will be on the spotlight as San Miguel Beer and Columbian Dyip clash at 4:30 p.m., then Rain or Shine and NLEX slug it out at 7 p.m.

After the smashing PBA debuts of Bolick and Tratter, expectation is high Perez will do the same, but the Dyip could still face rough sailing against the reigning all-Filipino four-time champs.

It’s a duel between the top finisher and the last placer in the last Philippine Cup.

The Beermen set out as the outstanding favorites in the tourney with a champion lineup made more formidable by the arrival of Romeo and Paul Zamar, and the return of Ronald Tubid.

The only question is how would Romeo, a three-time scoring champ, fit in with the SMB team loaded with other talents in June Mar Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross.

“I’ll do what is asked of me to be able to help the team,” said Romeo.

The ROS-NLEX match features the pro debut of Mocon and the initial outing of Erram with the Road Warriors.

The Batang Pier gave away Mike Miranda, Alex Mallari and Dave Marcelo to be able to acquire Erram, coming from a breakout season last year that saw him suit up with the national team and land in the Mythical Second Team at season’s end.

NLEX has gained considerable length on its acquisition not only of Erram but former Alaska reserve center Marion Magat.

Then there’s the return of Kevin Alas from a long layoff due to an ACL tear.

The Elasto Painters, meanwhile, are beefed up by draft acquisitions Mocon and Jayjay Alejandro, and returnee Raymond Almazan.

Almazan said he’s put his episode with coach Caloy Garcia behind him, and they’re all ready to have a fresh start.

“Tapos na yon,” said Almazan, who went AWOL at midstream in the last Governors Cup.

An interesting matchup is that of Almazan versus Erram – players who are teaming up with Andray Blatche, Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar to form the Gilas frontline versus Qatar and Kazakhstan in the final window of the FIBA World Cup qualifier in February.