Rain or Shine routs new-look Petron

Image Source: Wikipedia
Source: Mark Giongco; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine beat Petron Blaze as if the Boosters weren’t preseason favorites to win the title.

Riding high on their recent championship, the Elasto Painters pummeled the Boosters, 102-86, Wednesday night in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“As I said before the game, this is the best time to play Petron, they’re still in transition, they have a new coach,” said ROS head coach Yeng Guiao. “They’re going to be a lot more dangerous in the next two to three games and they won’t be the same when we play them the second time around.”

PBA Philippine Cup: Barako Bull edges Air21 behind ‘main man’

Image Source: Wikipedia
Source: Mark Giongco; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—Barako Bull lost Willie Miller in the offseason and for head coach Junel Baculi, Ronald Tubid will have to fill the void.

Tubid responded with a game-high 19 points to lead the Energy Cola to a 90-87 squeaker over the Air21 Express Wednesday in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

“Sean (Anthony) had his moments but the main man right now is Ronald Tubid,” said Baculi.

Dream shelved, Aguilar now eyeing NBA D-League stint with Bakersfield

Source: June Navarro; Philippine Daily Inquirer
With his NBA dream shelved, Japeth Aguilar could find solace in the NBA D-League.

The 6-foot-9 Filipino could earn a spot in the Bakersfield Jam roster after an impressive workout with Jam assistant general manager Brian Levy in Los Angeles last week. 

According to Hoopshype.com, Aguilar earned positive reviews from Levy, who was fascinated with the former Western Kentucky Hilltopper’s jumping ability and explosiveness around the rim.

“He’s an explosive leaper that runs the floor well and has good instincts when crashing the offensive glass. He can shoot just well enough from the three and that must be respected,” said Levy, who also functions as the team’s director of player personnel. “He has the tools to contribute to a team this year if he finds the right situation.” 

Gins give Batang Pier rude welcome

Source: Musong Castillo; Philippine Daily Inquier
Frolicking in a free-flowing game in front of the PBA’s biggest season-opening crowd, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel got off to a dream Philippine Cup start last night after posting a thorough 110-90 destruction of Global Port at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Six players scored in twin digits and LA Tenorio showed his true worth in his first game as a Gin King as Ginebra finished off the newcomer Batang Pier with a flurry. 

“We got over opening day jitters, the distractions,” Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said. “It is good to start this way.”

PBA Opening Day Official Lineups

Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/pba-opening-day-official-lineups
Image Source: http://www.pba.ph

Here's the official list of Team and Players lineups for the opening day of 38th season of PBA on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum