Teams crank up in reinforcing roster ahead of PBA resumption
By Olmin Leyba
TEAMS step up in bolstering their respective personnel ahead of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup resumption on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pacesetting Magnolia picked up Adrian Wong from the free agent pool to link up with backcourt regulars Mark Barroca, Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon in its bid to sustain the momentum of its 3-0 start in the import-spiced tournament.
Mr. Wong agreed to a two-year deal with the Hotshots on Monday after spending the first two seasons of his pro career with Rain or Shine.
The Elasto Painters (2-3) themselves welcomed a fresh signing days before the games’ resumption, inking former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Mike Nieto to a two-year contract.
Alaska (3-2) enlisted free agent big man Bryan Faundo for its Governors’ Cup campaign even as it hopes to come to terms with its 2019 Gilas draft pick Allyn Bulanadi.
Skidding Blackwater got Gilas selection Rey Suerte on board by giving him a two-year pact. The Bossing aim to snap out of a 0-5 card in the tournament and a record 24-game losing skid dating back to the 2020 Philippine Cup with a new import, Shawn Glover.
The pro league brings the action back after more than a month of stoppage due to the spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
Initial action will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum up until Feb. 20. Then the games will move to the Ynares Center in Antipolo when the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers takes place from Feb. 24-28 at the Big Dome.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said they hope to accommodate fans again when the league returns to Ynares-Antipolo after two years.
The PBA last played at the Antipolo venue on Dec. 29, 2019 featuring the deciding game of the Governors’ Cup semifinal series between TnT and Meralco. The Bolts won that rubbermatch, 89-78, to advance to the finals.
