Meralco and Phoenix Pulse, two teams expecting to improve in this new PBA season, clash in the mainer of the first PBA Philippine Cup twinbill for the year at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday.
Game time is at 7 p.m. in a duel between two teams that ranked right below the top six in the previous season.
The Bolts expect a better showing because of a healthy lineup while the Fuel Masters believe they can break through with a roster beefed up by trade acquisitions Alex Mallari and Dave Marcelo plus rookie draftee Ron Marvis Dennison.
"We're healthy for the first time in four years. It's interesting to see how we start this conference and play the entire tourney where we put our best players on the floor," said Meralco coach Norman Black.
"We're 11th last year (in the Philippine Cup). I don't know how to rank our team right now, but I know with a healthy lineup, we can perform much better. That's our expectation - to play a lot better than in the past," Black also said.
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Ranidel de Ocampo, Jared Dillinger and Cliff Hodge are all back in harness, leading a team souped up by the addition of rookies Trevis Jackson and Kier John Quinto plus free agent recruit Gabby Espinas.
Then there will also be Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Garvo Lanete, Nico Salva, Reynel Hugnatan and AJ Caram, who were the team's steady lights last season.
The Bolts will be up against a Phoenix side hopeful of finally joining the ranks of the elite teams this season.
"We traded away our No. 4 pick for experienced players as we, in the team, believe our future is now," said Phoenix top official Raymond Zorrilla.
"Our rotation is deeper. We have a better core group but we've yet to determine who will be our finishers," said coach Louie Alas. "Matthew Wright will be there, but he's well scouted. Alam na alam ng kalaban na pupunta kami sa kanya at endgame. We need to find others ready to take charge at the finish."
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But in his team led by Wright, Calvin Abueva, Jason Perkins, RJ Jazul, JC Intal, Doug Kramer, LA Revilla and Willy Wilson, Alas believes he's got a unit that is right there behind the traditional powers.
"We're a middle-of-the-pack team that can improve as the conference goes on. The initial goal is to make the playoffs and we'll see what we can do from there," said Alas.
Zorrilla sets a modest goal in the all-Filipino conference.
"Malalakas talaga yung kalaban. The strongest team (San Miguel) has become even better. If we are there fighting, okay na sa amin," said Zorrilla.
"We have a hole in the middle. Hopefully, it would be filled up by an import in the import-laden conferences, then laban na talaga kami," Zorrilla also said.
The Fuel Masters remained a heartbreak team last season, narrowly missing the playoffs in both the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner's Cup, then blowing away a twice-to-beat advantage in a quarterfinal showdown with the Meralco Bolts in the Governors Cup.
"We're always one game away. Hopefully, we may now be able to get over the hump," said Zorrilla. (SB)
