THE traditional contenders start plunging into action Sunday, with the Barangay Ginebra Kings, the PBA Commissioner's Cup champs in 2018, taking on the Converge FiberXers in the 6:45 p.m. mainer at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
All eyes will be on the Gin Kings with their talented cast further boosted by marquee trade acquisitions Jamie Malonzo from NorthPort and Von Pessumal from San Miguel Beer.
Malonzo and Pessumal link up with old Kings mainstays Japeth Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Stanley Pringle and import Justin Brownlee in another title bid for the Gin Kings after six earlier title runs under coach Tim Cone.
Cone sees Malonzo as a potential cornerstone of the league's most popular ballclub moving forward.
"Jamie is young, athletic, long and explosive. What's not to like? He's a player we can build around over the next several years," said Cone of the former La Salle player they acquired in exchange for Arvin Tolentino and Prince Caperal, two vital cogs in their playoffs runs over the last three years, and their first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
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"We had to give up a lot to get him. A marquee young player, a shooting big, plus our first round pick. It was an expensive get," Cone noted.
For Pessumal, Ginebra had to let go of veteran sniper Jeff Chan and Kent Salado to the Batang Pier.
"Von has been stuck behind the great Marcio Lassiter for the last few years and hasn't been able to carve out a consistent role and playing time with SMB. We're going to give him that opportunity to carve out a role with us here and see where it takes him. Sometimes players just need a change of scenery. We'll see if that holds true for Von," said Cone.
Ginebra's new mix gets its initial test against Quincy Miller and the Converge FiberXers who shoot for a second straight win after a triumphant conference debut versus Terrafirma Friday.
Quincy Miller rifled in 38 points to lead six others in double figures as the FiberXers blasted the Dyip, 124-110, thus handing coach Aldin Ayo a winning debut in the pros.
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"First games have always been the hardest. You don't know what to expect. For us, it's just step on the pedal and full speed ahead, just keep running because that's our game," said Ayo, who made his coaching debut a month after replacing Jeff Cariaso at the helm of the first-year franchise. (SB)
