ANG San Miguel Beer ang napagkaisahang ‘top favorite’ habang itinuturing na pinakamabigat na challengers ang Barangay Ginebra at Magnolia Pambansang Manok.
Ang Beermen, Gin Kings at Hotshots ang top bets para sa lahat ng personalidad na dumalo sa PBA Media Day sa Solaire Tent sa Solaire Complex, Pasay City kahapon.
“The SMC teams all emerged champions last season. They remain very tough and they should be the top favorites,” wika ni TNT KaTropa coach Bong Ravena patungkol sa top choices para sa PBA Season 44 na aarangkada sa Linggo, Enero 13, sa Philippine Arena.
Itinuturing namang dark horses ang NLEX, Phoenix Petroleum, TNT, Alaska Milk at Blackwater.
Sa kanyang panig ay sinabi naman ni SMB coach Leo Austria na kailangang maglaro sila bilang koponan para mapanatili ang korona sa Philippine Cup.
“The only way to retain the crown is to play as a team and with fire and intensity because other teams are dead serious and determined to topple us,” sabi ni Austria, katabi ang kanyang apat na players na sina JuneMar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter at bagong recruit Terrence Romeo.
“I must admit it’s going to be tough out there. All eyes are on us. We have to be prepared at all times and dismantle all obstacle coming our way to stay on top,” wika ni Austria.
Bagama’t hitik sa talento ay sinabi ni Austria na hindi sila maaaring mag-relax.
“Loaded with talents ang team ko. Kailangan ko pa ring pag-aralan nang husto kung paano ko gagamitin na walang profes-sional jealousy. Kung sino ang maganda ang nilalaro ay bibigyan ko ng mahabang playing time. Alam ko ng naintindihan nila,” anang 60-anyos na veteran mentor.
Naniniwala rin si Austria na ang sister teams Barangay Ginebra at newly crowned Governors’ Cup champion Magnolia Hot-shots ang magiging pinakamabigat nilang katunggali.
“These are the teams that will give us big problems. They are the biggest stumbling blocks in our title retention bid. They have championship experience and mentored by certified champion coach Tim Cone and Ercito ‘Chito’ Victolero,” aniya. CLYDE MARIANO
