There are a lot of interesting storylines for each team as we open another PBA season on Sunday, March 8. Several ESPN5.com writers covering the league examine and look at the different PBA teams, highlighting the storyline for each, heading into the 2020 Philippine Cup.
Additions: Aldrech Ramos (via trade), Roosevelt Adams (Rookie), Bonbon Batiller (Rookie), Christian Balagasay (Rookie)
Subtractions: Jackson Corpuz, Lervin Flores
Holdovers: Juami Tiongson, CJ Perez, JP Calvo, Andreas Cahilig, Rashawn McCarthy , Glenn Khobuntin, Eric Camson, Jeepy Faundo, Keith Agovida, Joseph Gabayni
The lowdown
The Columbian Dyip head into the new PBA season as a team with so much upside.
Here's a team that can run and gun with Rookie of the Year frontrunner CJ Perez leading the assault. Here's a team that can put up backcourt pressure D for 48 minutes with a slew of young players in the fold accustomed to that type of play. Here's a team that can shoot decently from long range especially with the addition of sweet-shooting rookie Roosevelt Adams.
The Dyip's biggest advantage (youth), though, could also pose a problem for the them when the going gets tough later in the All-Filipino conference. Aldrech Ramos is the oldest at 31.
But head coach Johnedel Cardel is optimistic. After Jay-R Reyes was left unsigned, Cardel is now expecting Ramos to be that guy for the Dyip. While providing the badly-needed veteran presence, the 31-year-old also comes in as another floor-spacer for the Dyip.
To acquire his services, however, the Dyip also had to give up vastly-improved Jackson Corpuz.
Corpuz had been a vital cog in the Dyip's rotation, averaging 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 22 minutes while also serving as the team's primary defender at the wings. On the other hand, Ramos saw limited action for Magnolia before being traded and normed 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 rebounds.
Whether or not the Dyip won in that trade with Magnolia, Cardel believes Ramos could be the perfect piece for the young team that is itching to make the playoffs this year. Given more playing time, Ramos, who averaged 7 minutes for the Hotshots last season, can do so much more.
"I know Aldrech for a long, long time. I know the capacity of Aldrech. He's a good guy who can share his talent and motivate the young players in our team. He's a big factor for us this conference," said Cardel.
Biggest question: Can they make the playoffs this year?
The Dyip gained a reputation last year for being a giant slayer, proving to be a headache even for a multi-titled, talented team like the Beermen.
But can they take it to another level this time? Can they make the playoffs?
The Dyip won 11 of 22 games last season, but failed to make the quarterfinals of each of the conferences. But maybe with additional scoring threats in Adams and Ramos, this team can go places.