IT'S an early rematch as Season 46 Philippine Cup title protagonists TNT Tropang Giga and Magnolia Chicken Timplados face off in the 6:30 p.m. mainer of the PBA Season 47 kickoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The Tropang Giga and the Hotshots represent the old heavyweights still looming as favorites in the new season to be ushered in by the Leo Awards starting at 2 p.m.
"It's hard to say who's the (one) team to beat. But how can you stay and look away from the three San Miguel teams? They're always going to be tough," said coach Jeff Cariaso, formerly with Alaska but now with new team Converge during the PBA Media Day at Novotel Hotel Thursday.
"TNT, we always have a hard time with them. And Meralco is coming off a finals stint. So basically, every game is going to be a tough one."
These proud teams of corporate rivals San Miguel Corp. and MVP Group cling on to their old, tested crews, and they're look poised for another competitive campaign.
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"We prepared hard for this conference. Medyo short kami last season so we're very motivated and sana, we're all healthy this season," said coach Chito Victolero, whose team finished second in the Philippine Cup and third in the Commissioner's Cup last season.
The Tropang Giga, under returning coach Chot Reyes, beat the Hotshots for the all-Filipino crown before taking a sorry exit in the Commissioner's Cup, dropping their quarters matchup versus eventual champion Barangay Ginebra. TNT was then the third seed, enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage versus No. 6 Ginebra.
Reyes and his chargers finished No. 1 overall in the season with a cumulative win-loss mark of 26-11. Victolero and his troops came in second at 27-14.
With their solid showings, the two teams understandably opted not to tinker with their lineups.
Magnolia is one of four teams which will be without a single rookie on their rosters to parade in the season inaugurals. The others are San Miguel, Meralco and NLEX.
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TNT has activated special Gilas draftee Jaydee Tungcab, added to the talent-filled cast including Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, Troy Rosario, RR Pogoy and Mikee Williams who is expected to be named Season 46 Rookie of the Year.
lt's tipped to be a fierce clash right away as the Tropang Giga and the Hotshots duel in a rematch of their title best-of-seven title clash last year won by TNT at 4-1. (SB)
