B-Meg starts back-to-back title bid

Games today

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Powerade

7:30 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. B-Meg

COMMISSIONER’S Cup champions B-Meg Llamados begin their quest for back-to-back championships as they face opening day winner Rain or Shine Elasto Painters today in the main game of the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Llamados had a smashing campaign in the previous conference, surviving a gripping championship series to dethrone Talk N Text Tropang Texters.

Import Denzel Bowles played a big role in that title run by B-Meg and that’s something that Marqus Blakely will try to duplicate.

The Llamados brought in Blakely to reinforce a solid local crew led by James Yap, Peter June Simon, Joe De Vance, Josh Urbiztondo and Marc Pingris.

B-Meg will try to stop a Rain or Shine squad which is looking to move up to solo first place in the week-old tournament.

The Painters started the tournament with a, 107-100 win over the Alaska Aces with import Jamelle Cornley leading the way with a game-high 27 points.

Meanwhile, in the main game, the Powerade Tigers try to bounce back from a faulty start against the Barako Bull Energy.

The Tigers faltered in their first assignment, losing to the Petron Blaze Boosters, 83-97.

Highly touted import Rashad McCants, a former NBA player, scored 27 points in his Philippine basketball debut while Gary David had 26 points. Still the Tigers still failed to survive.

Jamine Peterson will reinforce the Energy, who advanced to the semis in the previous conference but fell short against the Texters in their Final Four round duel.