Loaded enough?

As one of the traditional heavyweights in the league, TNT KaTropa enters the PBA season with a mission of dismantling a dynasty—or at least nip a looming one in the bud.

But does it have enough in its arsenal to achieve that goal?

The KaTropa get a chance to measure themselves early as they make their Philippine Cup debut on Friday, clashing with Rain or Shine at 7 p.m. at Cuneta Astrodome.

TNT’s core has added a year’s experience and management has brought in some more help in the middle by tapping Norbert Torres.

And the question that continues to pop into everyone’s minds is: Would that be enough to finally bring down defending three-time champion San Miguel Beer and rising powerhouse Barangay Ginebra?

“For sure, what we have (this season) is an upgrade from the previous one,” coach Nash Racela told the Inquirer after practice on Thursday, referring to the lineup that bowed out in the Final Four last season.

“But then again, when you look at the whole league, every team got stronger.

“I’m sure it (our lineup) is still not enough,” Racela added when asked if the KaTropa could match up man-for-man with the Beermen and the Gin Kings. “But that has been our story, even if we’re underdogs, we try and find ways to win.”

Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy, the top rookies in the last two years, tucked not only another year of pro experience under their belts but international action as well as mainstays of the Gilas Pilipinas crew.

How they fare will obviously tell on the KaTropa’s chances as TNT comes into another season with point guard Jayson Castro as its franchise player.

TNT has one of the oldest cores in the league with Ryan Reyes, Kelly Williams and Harvey Carey, that’s why the arrival of the 6-foot-6 Torres comes as a whiff of fresh air as the former La Salle center in the UAAP can help with the chores in the shaded lane.

Rain or Shine will provide an early gauge for the KaTropa, having an abundance of size in Raymond Almazan, Jewel Ponferada and Beau Belga and an explosive backcourt made up of Maverick Ahanmisi and Jericho Cruz.

“They played very well in the preseason,” Racela said. “They will definitely be a handful.”

Meanwhile, Meralco debuts against Blackwater in the 4:15 p.m. opener.