Cone debuts with B-Meg today, faces Petron five

Games Wednesday:
Cuneta Astrodome
5:30 p.m.- Shopinas.com vs. Powerade
7:45 p.m.- B-Meg vs. Petron

MULTI-TITLED coach Tim Cone debuts with his new team when the B-Meg Llamados play the Petron Blaze Boosters in the main game of the newly opened 37th PBA Philippine Cup today at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Jvee Casio, the number one overall pick in the Rookie Draft, also marks his debut in the pro-league when the Powerade Tigers take on the newcomers Shopinas.com Clickers in the first game.

Cone’s transfer from Alaska to B-Meg was one of the biggest stories in the off-season. The transfer ended a 22-year relationship that led to 13 titles—the second most championship crowns in league history.

Cone, who was eventually replaced by Joel Banal, is out to try to turn things around for B-Meg, which  boasts a solid lineup led by James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Peter June Simon, Joe Devance, Rafi Reavis and Marc Pingris.

The Llamados will also have new recruits John Ferriols and Mark Barocca, the fifth pick in the draft. Barocca was actually drafted by Shopinas.com but was shipped to the Llamados.

The Clickers are looking for an auspicious debut against the promising Tigers.

Shopinas.com took over Barako Bull after the Lina Group of Companies purchased the franchise. The company also owns the Air21 Express, which was renamed to Barako Bull.

The Franz Pumaren-coached Clickers will have Brian Ilad, Jojo Duncil, Mark Canlas, Elmer Espiritu, Magi Sison, Paolo Hubalde, RJ Jazul, Renren Ritualo, Rogemar Menor, Vaughn Canta, Khasim Mirza and Dennis Daa.

Following the acquisition of Casio, hopes are high for the Tigers, who strengthened their lineup during the break as they also brought in Casio’s teammate at the national team in Marcio Lassiter, the fourth pick in the draft.

Gary David remains to be the team’s top gun. Among the new faces for Powerade are Rudy Lingganay, Rommel Adducul, Doug Kramer, Josh Vanlandingham and Alex Crisano./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA