FOUR teams, led by reigning grand slam champion San Mig Super Coffee, have made little or no movement at all in its lineup ahead of the new season, banking instead on chemistry to continue their success in the PBA.
San Mig coach Tim Cone admitted the team put a premium on chemistry in its decision to keep an intact lineup, counting on the development of players like Justin Melton and Yousef Taha to provide the upgrade when the Mixers defend their Philippine Cup crown starting on October 19.
“Our chemistry will keep us a talented team, but our improvement as a team will come from Justin (Melton), Ian (Sangalang), Alex (Mallari), Allein (Maliksi) and Yousef (Taha). If those guys can lift the level of their games, then we can improve,” Cone told Spin.ph.
San Mig actually traded its first- and second-round picks this year to GlobalPort in exchange for the Batang Pier’s two picks in 2016, just to keep its lineup unchanged.
Still, San Mig’s core of two-time league MVP James Yap, Peter June Simon, Marc Pingris, Joe Devance and incoming fourth-year guard Mark Barroca will be back for another tour of duty as they lead the Mixers’ drive for a fifth straight crown.
On the other hand, San Miguel Beer, a team that has underachieved for the last three seasons despite its solid all-Filipino roster, only added former San Sebastian wingman Ronald Pascual to its already-loaded lineup during the recent rookie draft.
New coach Leo Austria said picking Pascual gives the Beermen the depth in the small forward position, ensuring that reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo will be backed up by another shooter to add to Fil-American gunners Chris Lutz and Marcio Lassiter.
“Ang play naman namin di lang naman kay June Mar eh, pero kung gagawin mo ng maayos (ang play) especially if you set up a screen, ikaw ang mao-open so we have shooters ready,” explained Austria, the Beermen’s fifth coach in the last three seasons.
Meantime, Barangay Ginebra hopes its almost intact roster entering the new season could finally yield a PBA championship under new coach Jeff Cariaso.
The acquisition of former Adamson bruiser Rodney Brondial was the only change to a lineup of a team that has yet to win a PBA championship since capturing the 2008 Fiesta Conference under then coach Jong Uichico and behind import Chris Alexander.
Rain or Shine also resisted change, with rookie Jericho Cruz the only addition to the lineup after No. 2 pick overall Kevin Alas was traded to NLEX in exchange for the Road Warriors’ future first-round pick.
1. Alaska
PBA governor/team manager: Richard Bachmann
Head coach: Alex Compton
Asst. coaches: Louie Alas
Topex Robinson
Monch Gavieres
Franco Atienza
Players
Samigue Eman
R- Chris Banchero
Cyrus Baguio
Sonny Thoss
Calvin Abueva
R- Rome dela Rosa
Chris Exciminiano
Paolo Bugia
Vic Manuel
Dondon Hontiveros
Eric Menk
RJ Jazul
Tony dela Cruz
JVee Casio
R - Rookie
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
Gabby Espinas
2. Barako Bull
PBA treasurer: Manuel Alvarez
Basketball Operations head: Michael Chua
Asst. Basketball Operations head: Paul Chua
Team manager: Raffy Casyao
Asst. team manager: Jay Llanos Dee
Head coach: Bethune 'Siot' Tanquingcen
Asst. coaches: Coy Banal
Jigs Mendoza
Arturo dela Cruz
Paolo Rivero
Players
RR Garcia
Dennis Miranda
Jondan Salvador
Carlo Lastimosa
JC Intal
Nico Salva
Jeric Fortuna
Dave Marcelo
R-Jake Pascual
R-Philip Paredes
Chico Lanete
William Wilson
Michael Pennisi
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
none
3) BARANGAY GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL
PBA governor: Bernie Marquez
Alt. governor/ team manager: Alfrancis Chua
Head coach: Jeffrey Cariaso
Asst. coaches: Olsen Racela
Renato Agustin
Jorge Gallent
Allan Caidic
Marco Januz Sauler
PLAYERS
James Forrester
Billy Mamaril
Joshua Urbiztondo
LA Tenorio
Anthony Helterbrand
Joseph Yeo
JayR Reyes
Greg Slaughter
Japeth Aguilar
Dylan Ababou
Chris Ellis
Mac Baracael
Mark Caguioa
R-Rodney Brondial
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
Emman Monfort
4. BLACKWATER ELITE
PBA governor: Silliman Sy
Alt. governor/ team manager: Wilbert Loa
Team manager: Johnson Martines
Head coach: Leo Isaac
Asst. coaches: Rodil Sablan
Aris Dimaunahan
Patrick Aquino
Junjie Ablan
Tylon Darjuan
Daniel Olan
PLAYERS
Bryan Faundo
Chris Timberlake
R-Juan Miguel Tiongson
Alex Nuyles
John Paul Erram
Rogemar Menor
Gilbert Bulawan
JR Cawaling
Paul Artadi
Jason Ballesteros
Riego Gamalinda
Eddie Laure
Raymond Austria
Sunday Salvacion
RESERVE/INJURED LIST
R-Brian Heruela
5. GLOBALPORT BATANG PIER
PBA governor: Mikee Romero
Alt. governor: Nathaniel Romero
Alt. governor, Basketball Operations ead: Eric Arejola
Team manager: Benedict Manalo
Head coach: Alfredo 'Pido' Jarencio
Asst. coaches: Eric Gonzales
Senen Duenas
Mac Cuan
Bonnie Tan
Oliver Bunye
PLAYERS
R-Stanley Pringle
Terrence Romeo
Ronjay Buenafe
Alex Cabagnot
Jojo Duncil
Mark Isip
Jewel Ponferada
Kelly Nabong
R-Roider Cabrera
Nonoy Baclao
Keith Jensen
Yancy de Ocampo
6. KIA SORENTO
PBA governor: Jose Alvarez
Alt. governor: Ginia Domingo
Team manager: Enrico Pineda
Head coach: Manny Pacquiao
Asst. coaches: Glenn Capacio
Louie Gonzales
Rob Wainwright
Chris Gavina
Robert dela Rosa
Aldin Ayo
Romulo Orillosa
Chito Victolero
Marlon Martin
PLAYERS
Hans Thiele
LA Revilla
R-Kenneth Ighalo
Richard Alonzo
Rudy Lingganay
Eder Saldua
Joshua Webb
Paul Sanga
Alvin Padilla
R-Manny Pacquiao
Richard Alvarez
Reil Cervantes
Angelus Raymundo
Michael Burtscher
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
Virgil Buensuceso
7. MERALCO BOLTS
PBA governor: Alfredo Panlilio
Alt. governor: Betty Siy-Yap
Alt. governor: Ryan Gregorio
Team manager: Paolo Trillo
Head coach: Norman Black
Asst. coaches: Ronnie Magsanoc
Luigi Trillo
Mike Jarin
Patrick Fran
Xavier Nunag
Gene Afable
PLAYERS
Simon Atkins
R-Philip Morrison
Cliff Hodge
John Wilson
Sean Anthony
Mike Cortez
Ryan Buenafe
James Sena
Anjo Carram
Jared Dillinger
Reynel Hugnatan
Rey Guevarra
Gary David
Mark Macapagal
8) NLEX WARRIORS
PBA governor: Ramoncito Fernandez
Alt. governor: Rodrigo Franco
Alt. governor: Christopher Lizo
Team manager: Ronald Dulatre
Head coach: Teodorico Fernandez III
Asst. coaches: Adonis Tierra
Jojo Lastimosa
Alex 'Sandy' Arespacochaga
Raymund Celis
Claiford Arao
Gino Manuel
Jay Serrano
PLAYERS
Mark Cardona
Eliud Poligrates
R-Kevin Alas
Jonas Villanueva
Eric James Camson
Enrico Villanueva
R-John Byron Villarias
Mark Borboran
Aldrech Ramos
R-Jeckster Apinan
Wynne Arboleda
Asi Taulava
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
Raul Soyud
9. RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS
PBA governor: Atty. Mamerto Mondragon
Alt. governor: Edison Oribiana
Asst. team manager: Boy Lapid
Head coach: Joseller 'Yeng' Guiao
Asst. coaches: Caloy Garcia
Mike Buendia
Matthew Makalintal
Jay Legacion
Ricky Umayam
PLAYERS
Jonathan Uyloan
Paul Lee
Gabe Norwood
Jireh Ibanes
Jeric Teng
R-Jericho Cruz
Tyrone Tang
Jeff Chan
Chris Tiu
Ryan Arana
Jervy Cruz
Beau Belga
JR Quinahan
Raymond Almazan
10. SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE
PBA governor: Rene Pardo
Team manager: Alvin Patrimonio
Head coach: Timothy Cone
Asst. coaches: Richard del Rosario
Johnny Abarrientos
Jason Webb
PLAYERS
Justin Melton
Rafi reavis
Isaac Holstein
Peter June Simon
Ian Sangalang
Alex Mallari
Andy Mark Barroca
Marc Pingris
James Yap
Jerwin Gaco
Allein Maliksi
Joe Devance
Yousef Taha
Ronnie Matias
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
Lester Alvarez
11. SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN
PBA governor: Roberto Huang
PBA vice chairman: Robert Non
Team manager: Gee Abanilla
Head coach: Leo Austria
Asst. coaches: Peter Martin
Melchor Ravanes
David Zamar
Dayong Mendoza
Riel Banaria
Consultant: John Todd Purves
PLAYERS
Sol Mercado
Rico Maierhofer
Chris Lutz
R-Ronald Pascual
Chris Ross
Paolo Hubalde
Marcio Lassiter
June Mar Fajardo
Douglas Kramer
Arwind Santos
Justin Chua
Ronald Tubid
12. TALK ‘N TEXT
PBA governor: Manny V. Pangilinan
Alt. governor: Victorico Vargas
PBA chairman: Patrick Gregorio
Team manager: Aboy Castro
Asst. Team manager: Magnum Membrere
Consultant: Tab Baldwin
Head coach: Joseph Uichico
Asst. coaches: Nash racela
Bong Ravena
Joshua Reyes
PLAYERS
Larry Rodriguez
Jay Washington
Harvey Carey
Rob reyes
Ryan Reyes
Larry Fonacier
Jayson Castro
Kelly Williams
R-Matt Ganuelas Rosser
Elmer Espiritu
KG Canaleta
Ranidel de Ocampo
Danny Seigle
Aron Aban
RESERVED/INJURED LIST
Jimmy Alapag
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