To no one’s surprise, San Miguel Beer was the consensus choice by team governors as the frontrunner to win the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
Last season, the fancied Beermen celebrated a historic fourth consecutive championship in the all-Filipino tournament in dominating fashion after beating the Magnolia Hotshots in five games.
With its star-studded core led by four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo back, San Miguel is tipped to keep its Philippine Cup dynasty intact and the rest of the league is fully aware of it.
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“I would still put my money on San Miguel Beer. They really have a strong lineup,” said Magnolia governor Rene Pardo during the league’s preseason press conference at Conrad Hotel.
PBA governors ahead of the league’s 44th season. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
And despite already being the favorites, San Miguel still managed to bolster its roster in the offseason with the return of veteran swingman Ronald Tubid and the addition of guards Terrence Romeo and Paul Zamar.
The Beermen have high hopes that the beleaguered Romeo, who is still one of the best guards in the league, will get his act together after a brief and troubled stint at TNT where he only lasted to two conferences.
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“I think everyone agrees that San Miguel is the strongest team and they’ve just gotten stronger this year with the addition of Terrence and a few other players,” NLEX governor Rod Franco said.
The 44th Season of the PBA unwraps on Sunday at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Barangay Ginebra, which was also mentioned as one of the favorites along with Magnolia, and new-look TNT will clash in the opener which tips off at 6:30 p.m. after the Leo Awards.