By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE Basketball Association rolls off for Season 45 on Sunday with the San Miguel Beermen and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok kicking off the season-opening Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The lone game on opening day, the Beermen-Hotshots tiff is a rematch of last season’s All-Filipino finals, which San Miguel took, 4-1, that gave it a fifth straight tournament title.

In the about-to-start competition the Beermen go for a sixth straight Philippine Cup crown albeit sans a major piece in five-time league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, who is expected to miss considerable time after injuring his leg and undergoing surgery in the offseason.

Also suffering injuries in the lead-up for San Miguel were Terrence Romeo and Marcio Lassiter.

With key cogs missing, the Beermen struggled in the preseason pocket tournament they were part in, losing all three of their matches.

They also made known that they are still trying to find someone who could ably fill up the void left by Mr. Fajardo, who was a catalyst for them on both ends of the court.

But despite the not-so-ideal spot they are made to begin their campaign, the Beermen expressed readiness to start another title defense and vowed to do their best all tournament long and give what their supporters and fans what they deserve.

“We definitely learned a lot in the preseason and we know where we are at heading into the All-Filipino tournament. We are going to make the adjustments and come up with a game plan that suits what we have,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria in the lead-up.

“I had the chance to work with the players that we have, both old and new, and experimented a little bit. So we’ll see,” he added.

Magnolia, meanwhile, is out to make another spirited run in the Philippine Cup after going one win short of winning it all in the finals last year.

They are using the stinging experience as further motivation this season.

“It’s still in our minds (the finals lost last year). We came so close and it’s one of our motivations coming into the tournament,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victorlero.

To help them in their cause, the Hotshots acquired forward Jackson Corpuz in a trade in the offseason while midseason acquisition last year Chris Banchero had a full training in the offseason with the team.

They are seen to provide motor for the squad alongside mainstays Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, Jio Jalalon and Mark Pingris.

The San Miguel-Magnolia game tips off at 7:30 p.m.

Prior to it the Annual PBA Leo Awards will take place where the top individual performers last year will be honored.

Among the awards to be given in the Leos are MVP, mythical selections, rookie of the year, most improved player, defensive player and team and sportsmanship, among others.

Meanwhile, to allay fears over the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the PBA assured that they have put up measures to ensure the safety of everybody going to the games.

The league said it had already coordinated with the venues to have, among other things, medical supplies like thermometer scan, hand sanitizer and alcohol on hand.

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