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BURGER King starts life without former superstar forward Arwind Santos when the Whoppers take on the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants at the start of the 35th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Prior to the Burger King-Purefoods tiff set at 6:30 p.m., the brand new season will be ushered in by the traditional colorful opening rites, highlighted by a simple tribute to the late league chairman Tony Chua of Barako Bull who drowned in a flooded street at the height of typhoon Ondoy.
Although they lost Santos to the San Miguel Beermen, the Whoppers is still one of the teams to beat in the All-Filipino tournament with its acquisition of explosive guard Ronjay Buenafe and Chico Lanete.
The Burger Kings also exploited its right to the number one overall pick in the Rookie Draft by picking six-foot-nine giant Japeth Aguilar. However, the latter refused to sign and opted to stay with RP-Smart Gilas Team.
Negotiation to convince Aguilar to sign with Burger King is still on going.
Purefoods, meanwhile, brought in marquee players led by rookies Rico Maierhofer (No. 2 overall pick), Chris Timberlake, lanky center Rafi Reavis and the returning Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi.
Gone from the Giants' lineup are Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Paolo Bugia and Celino Cruz, who were all now with the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
Four more teams make their respective debuts on the next playdate (Oct. 14).
Alaska, last year?s season-opening runner-up, takes on Barako Bull in the 5 p.m. curtain raiser, before defending Fiesta Cup champion San Miguel battles Barangay Ginebra in a rematch of last year?s Finals.
Along with fellow off-season recruit Denok Miranda, Santos sees action for the Beermen for the first time this season. The 7:30 p.m. encounter also marks the possible return from active roster of Kings? main man Mark Caguioa.
A triple header meanwhile, is in store for basketball fans on Oct. 16 (Friday) at the Astrodome as the RP-Smart Gilas team of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman makes its first appearance in Asia?s first ever pro league opposite the Whoppers of Powerade-Team Pilipinas mentor Yeng Guiao at 2:30 p.m.
Shortly after the potentially explosive duel between the Nationals and the Whoppers, comes the Coca-Cola-Sta. Lucia Realty meeting at 5 p.m. that will see the pro debut of No. 3 pick Chris Ross for the Tigers, before Talk `N Text begins its Philippine Cup title defense at the expense of Rain or Shine in the 7:30 p.m. main game.
The conference?s first out of town game in Davao City caps the first week of the new season as the Beermen clash with the Aces at 5 p.m.
A total of nine provincial games will be played this conference, including an encounter between Coca-Cola and San Miguel on Nov. 21 at the Cebu Coliseum. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
