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CLARK FREEPORT – Even in a bubble environment, the usual suspects remain the top contenders for the PBA Philippine Cup title.
The league’s coaches have named TnT Tropang Giga, Barangay Ginebra and five-time defending champion San Miguel as the teams to beat heading into the restart of a season that will be played under a configuration never before seen in the 45-year history of the oldest professional league in Asia.
In a mini-survey conducted by SPIN.ph before the opening of the only conference to be played in a pandemic year, coaches were asked to select the three ball clubs, not necessarily in order, they thought they were the better options for the championship. not including your own equipment.
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Nine of the 12 coaches were kind enough to share their options, and only Tim Cone (Geneva), Jeffrey Cariaso (Alaska) and Johnedel Cardel (Terrafirma) did not respond.
The coaches were only asked to make their top three choices and did not have to explain their choices.
San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra emerged as the consensus selections, with each team obtaining a total of seven votes.
TnT Tropang Giga came in second with a total of six votes.
Meralco coach Norman Black made four picks at San Miguel, Geneva, TnT and Magnolia.
The Beermen and Kings shared with each other last season’s three championships and nine of the last 10 conferences since the 2016 Governors Cup.
Magnolia broke the San Miguel-Barangay Geneva barrier when it won the 2018 Governors Cup, although Hotshots are also under the SMC umbrella.
Rain or Shine was the last non-SMC ball club to win a 2016 Commissioner’s Cup title.
Interestingly, Beermen and Kings are ready to play the bubble without two of their valuable big men.
June Mar Fajardo, a five-time MVP, is still recovering from preseason surgery on his shin injury, while Slaughter has yet to terminate his contract with the Kings.
But both teams are still loaded with the firepower and tons of experience to compete hard for the only championship of the season, especially the Brewers seeking a sixth consecutive Philippine Cup crown.
Meanwhile, the Tropang Giga has also emerged as a title favorite, following the off-season acquisition of great man Poy Erram to complete an initial unit that has the look of a Gilas Pilipinas five that also includes the two-time Best Base Gunner in Asia, Jayson Castro, Troy. Rosario, Roger Pogoy, and sophomore Bobby Ray Parks.
The feared TnT quintet will be put to the test immediately on opening day when they take on the Alaska Aces, while the Kings will face the NLEX Road Warriors in the main game at the University of Angels Foundation gym. .
Here are the coach options:
Yeng Guiao (NLEX) – Geneva, San Miguel, TnT
Leo Austria (San Miguel) – TnT, Geneva, NLEX
Topex Robinson (Phoenix) – San Miguel, TnT, Geneva
Chito Victolero (Magnolia) – Geneva, San Miguel, TnT
Norman Black (Meralco) – TnT, Geneva, San Miguel, Magnolia
Bong Ravena (TnT) – San Miguel, Geneva, NorthPort
Nash Racela (Blackwater) – TnT, NLEX, Alaska
Caloy García (Rain or shine) – San Miguel, NLEX, Magnolia
Pido Jarencio (NorthPort) – San Miguel, Ginebra, NLEX
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