San Miguel Beer starts chase of another big quest while Phoenix Petroleum begins journey under a new coach as the two teams clash in the opening game in PBA Season 43 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. after the traditional inaugural rites highlighted by the parade of teams, the presentation of muses and the official declaration of the opening of the new season.
Foiled in a grand slam bid last season, San Miguel now eyes an unprecedented four-peat in the season-opening all-Filipino tourney.
Only Crispa and TNT KaTropa are the other teams which have won the Philippine Cup championship for three straight years.
Reigning PBA four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and the rest of the star-studded San Miguel team open their four-peat campaign against a Phoenix team hopeful of a breakthrough stint after a massive overhaul from late last season plus a recruit of a new think tank led by coach Louie Alas and assistant coach Topex Robinson.
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Alas, a returning PBA head coach after his stint with Mobiline, isn't discounting the possibility of an upset versus the Beermen.
"I think much better we face them now rather than late this conference," said Alas, thinking San Miguel is not in its best shape at this time.
"May minor injuries sila. Still, containing June Mar is the main thing, then we have to limit Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross. It's hard but it's possible," said Alas.
San Miguel is the heavy preseason favorite with its battle-tested roster that also includes David Semerad, Yancy de Ocampo, Brian Heruela, Von Pessumal, Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser, Keith Agovida and Michael Mabulac.
Chico Lanete is an SMB returnee while Billy Mamaril and Louie Vigil are new recruits. On the reserve/injured list is Gabby Espinas.
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Among PBA governors, San Miguel is the unanimous choice as the team to beat.
And the Beermen are likely to become a lot tougher with the entry of top draft pick Christian Standhardinger by the middle of 2018.
Alas, meanwhile, will have at his disposal key players Matthew Wright, Jeff Chan, JC Intal, Willy Wilson, RJ Jazul, Doug Kramer, Joseph Eriobu and Karl Dehesa.
New additions are trade recruits LA Revilla and Justin Chua and rookies Jason Perkins and Jam Cortez.
Obviously, they lack ceiling but they have surplus in perimeter shooters.
