New-look Globalport debuts vs Petron today

GLOBALPORT, the busiest team in the offseason, puts its retooled lineup to the test today when the Batang Pier battle powerhouse Petron Blaze in Day 2 of the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup elimination round at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game time is 8 p.m. with the Batang Pier, after adding five rookies and a couple of veterans topped off by hiring a new coach, obviously itching to establish themselves as a force early in the season-opening conference.  But that could be easier said than done against the Boosters.

Air21 and Barako Bull slug it out in the first game scheduled at 5:45 p.m.

This season could mark the start of June Mar Fajardo finally making Petron as his team, and the 6-foot-9 sophomore has a slew of stars to lend him support, led by reigning Most Valuable Player Arwind Santos.

Fajardo, last year’s top overall pick in the Draft, showed what kind of a dominating presence he could be in the import-spiced Governors’ Cup where the Boosters finished a fighting second to sister squad San Mig Coffee.

And with no big imports to contend with this time, there are a few teams that can throw a one-on-one match-up against Fajardo, an agile big man who has shown high basketball IQ.

Richie Ticzon, the former reliever of Ronnie Magsanoc at the point guard spot with defunct Shell in the 1990s, debuts as coach of the Batang Pier, who let go of Junel Baculi less than two weeks before the start of the season.

Former UAAP MVPs Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia will alternate at the point guard spot and give veteran Sol Mercado all the chances to score at No. 2.