PBA teams start campaign in Cebu

Games today:

Cebu Coliseum

5 p.m. – MLKP-Cebu Niños vs. San Mig Coffee

7 p.m. – Alaska vs. Talk ’N Text

SLAM-BANG professional basketball action rolls into town today as three teams from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) heads over to the Cebu Coliseum to do battle along with local side M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Ninos in the Mayor Michael L. Rama Cup.

The Niños of head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba has been retooled and is expected to give the PBA teams fits as they prepare for the upcoming PBA Philippine Cup, which opens on Sept. 30.

First up for the Niños will be the San Mig Coffee Mixers, formerly the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados.

The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters and the Alaska Aces, featuring newly-acquired wingman Dondon Hontiveros and guard JV Casio, will do battle in the main game.

Expected to be at the center of the spotlight will be crowd darling James Yap, who will be joined on the squad by Peter James Simon, Marc Pingris, Josh Urbitztondo, JC Intal, Mark Barroca and Cebuano forward Aldrech Forward, the fifth pick of this year’s draft.

The Niños, on the other hand, have three new additions to their squad in former Adamson stars and Cebuanos Jan Colina and Jerick Canada, Eric Rodriguez, Lou Gatumbato, Abby Santos, Nat Cruz, Mark Magsumbol, Hafer Mondragon, Ian Saladaga, Mark Ababon, Chris Dumapig and Stephen Padilla./Correspondent Jonas Panerio