With the opening of the PBA's 46th season just around the corner, we gathered our panel of ESPN experts for their take on the new closed-circuit set-up, veterans on new teams, and a bumper crop of rookies.
1. What's your biggest concern with the way the new PBA season is scheduled to play out?
Chuck Araneta: The grind of the schedule. Though the players will be happy about getting back to the sport they love, we can't also forget about how grueling it was inside the Clark Bubble midway through the conference. Games also were a grind, with teams obviously fatigued just pushing themselves to compete.
Will it be different in this closed-circuit setup? Only time will tell. But being able to return home to their families should be a boost.
Charlie Cuna: Unlike in a bubble, where the league can constantly monitor everyone, the set-up now allows players and other personalities involved to go wherever they want, even if they are not supposed to, and interact with anyone. Hopefully, the faith and trust in the commitment of the players to adhere to the "rules" prevails. Even if most are fully "vaccinated", if several cases of the dreaded virus arise, the conference will be put in jeopardy.
Carlo Pamintuan: As with any sporting event during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the utmost concern is the health and safety of everyone involved. While it is great that a huge majority of the players and staff have been vaccinated, it would still take discipline and restraint from everyone involved to protect each other by not going out unless absolutely necessary.
Jutt Sulit: It will still have to be the health of everyone - both in injuries and illnesses. I'm sure the PBA has thought this through and that the safety of everyone involved is its utmost priority. It's going to be a tight schedule for all teams and we still are in the middle of a pandemic. But I also know the resumption helps a lot of people who rely on the league for livelihood. Here's to hoping for a smooth, injury-free and COVID-free conference.
Noel Zarate: The biggest concern will be the external exposures. Within the Ynares complex, everything will surely be stringent. However, where all individuals will be coming from and going after the games will be unmonitored which could increase the potential risks. I was part of the Clark Bubble for over two months last season. I saw how strict everything was and yet there were still a few surprises that arose. Hopefully, everyone involved thinks of the PBA's success first in this undertaking.
2. The star player debuting on a new team whom I'm most interested to see is _______.
Chuck: Calvin Abueva makes every team that he's on better. When he made his return to the Phoenix lineup, he immediately impacted the team in a positive way by staying under control and producing on the court. There's no reason to think he can't be the same type of player with Magnolia.
Charlie: Calvin Abueva. He had such an efficient and composed performance in last season's bubble, and his alliance with characters such as Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon, and Jackson Corpuz piques my interest the most among all players who switched teams. Magnolia has been searching for a missing piece, and especially with Pingris' retirement, Calvin might be the one.
Carlo: If Magnolia gets the PBA Bubble version of Calvin Abueva, then he could make the most impact. Although Vic Manuel, Christian Standhardinger, and CJ Perez will all certainly contribute to their squads, the three will have great teammates playing a similar role with Justin Chua and Jason Perkins for Phoenix Super LPG, Japeth Aguilar for Barangay Ginebra, and all the veteran guards of San Miguel Beer.
The small forward spot has been a bit problematic for Magnolia in the past with Rome dela Rosa being their only natural three and Abueva could fill in that role and even switch to the power forward spot alongside Ian Sangalang as the center in some units.
Jutt: There were so many jaw-dropping trades and transactions over the off-season that it's tough to choose. I'll go with CJ Perez joining SMB. The mainstays of the team aren't the youngest guys out there, but they're far from past their prime. They are still some of the best in the league. Infuse CJ, arguably the most talented young stars, and SMB gets a massive boost. Just imagine a two-man game between him and June Mar.
Noel: Calvin Abueva being in a system that finally suits his playing style is perhaps the debut that will draw the biggest anticipation. Abueva will be thrust into heavy minutes early and his energy will usher in a new era for the Hotshots. All they need to do now is find Ronald Pascual and they resurrect the "Pinatubo Triangle".
3. Which rookie do you see having the most immediate impact for his team?
Chuck: By the sheer amount of opportunities that Josh Munzon will have on Terrafirma, he should be able to put up some pretty eye-popping numbers.
Charlie: Probably Joshua Munzon. CJ Perez, the team's erstwhile best player and future, is gone. Munzon has a heavy burden to step up and make a forceful impact immediately, and he looks like he might have the right stuff to do it. He is 26 and enough of a veteran in tough basketball competition to contribute heavily, given the right opportunities.
Carlo: It's no secret that Joshua Munzon needs to play like a superstar immediately for Terrafirma to have a shot at making it into the playoffs. The great thing about him is that he has the type of personality that's willing to lead and take over when necessary. Sure, he'll have to adjust to the PBA brand of basketball, but his talent and athleticism should shine and allow him to make an impact early.
Jutt: For me, Calvin Oftana is the easy answer. He comes into the league with incredible talent and physical gifts. Then he plays for Coach Yeng who gives his rookies all the confidence in the world. In an NLEX squad that could use reinforcements inside, e should quickly rise into stardom in the PBA.
Noel: Joshua Munzon. I've had the opportunity to cover his exploits in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) and he is an instant cornerstone with improved chops as a transition shooter. Munzon will be an early candidate for All-Defensive Team consideration because of his elite reads on steals but will also be one of the most explosive players in a team known for being up-tempo. It will be interesting to see how he meshes with sophomore forward Roosevelt Adams and lead playmaker Rashawn McCarthy. Terrafirma suddenly puts itself as a serious contender for a possible deep playoff run this conference.
4. Which are your top four teams for the Philippine Cup?
Chuck: San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, TNT, Magnolia.
Charlie: Ginebra, San Miguel, TNT, and Phoenix.
Carlo: The defending champions Barangay Ginebra are clearly on top of the list as they added even more firepower with Christian Standhardinger joining the squad. Aside from that, their main gunners are coming into the season healthy unlike what happened with Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio when the PBA Bubble started.
TNT Tropang Giga and San Miguel Beermen will be the top challengers to the throne as these two teams are also stacked with talent. The return of head coach Chot Reyes for the former and June Mar Fajardo for the latter will only give them the additional spark needed to perform well.
After that, it'll be a pretty open race with bubble semifinalists Phoenix Super LPG and Meralco also being in the mix with the likes of Magnolia, Rain or Shine, and Alaska.
Jutt: Okay, now this is tough. I'll have to put in perennial favorites Ginebra, TNT and San Miguel. They have always been powerhouses and each of them have acquired important personnel in the off-season - Christian Standhardinger for the Barangay, Coach Chot Reyes for TNT and CJ Perez for SMB. Then I'll have to add in Phoenix. The did lose Calvin Abueva but the addition of Vic Manuel should instantly fill up that void. I know it looks like I just put in the top four teams from last year's bubble but they really look like they're ready to continue their stellar play from last year.
Noel: Barangay Ginebra, TNT, San Miguel Beer and Phoenix.
5. What's your one big, bold prediction for this season?
Chuck: The Beermen return to glory and win the Philippine Cup once again.
Charlie: Calvin Oftana will be a candidate for Rookie of the Year.
Carlo: Unlike what happened in the PBA Bubble, I think the battle for the last few playoff spots will be as interesting as the battle at the top. Last season, it was clear midway through the elimination round that NorthPort, Terrafirma, and Blackwater would not be progressing to the quarterfinals. But now those teams, I feel, can come up with a few upsets.
Jutt: Not sure if this is considered bold but I have a feeling that, one way or another, June Mar Fajardo will be adding another trophy to his cabinet.
Noel: There will be a few more blockbuster trades that will happen within the season involving players previously deemed untouchable, plus a few more controversies involving players being recruited abroad. The local cagers are now becoming international commodities and it won't be long before some are placed in situations where a choice may have to be made.