Ginebra unveils rookies on PBA opening day

High-flying Chris Ellis will be the focus of attention as Ginebra battles Global Port in the PBA opener. AFP File photo

MANILA, Philippines—Crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra, with two promising rookies and the reigning MVP Mark Caguioa, will battle PBA newcomer Global Port on Sept. 30 as the league takes the lid off of its 38th Season with the Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chris Ellis and Keith Jensen, the sixth and eighth overall picks, respectively, in the Rookie Draft, will be the focus of attention along with Caguioa, who, last season, became the league’s first MVP even without winning a championship.

Ellis played for the Philippine Five in the Southeast Asian Games last year in Indonesia, but the steal of the Draft, this early, is tipped to be Jensen, a big guard seen as the future of the Kings.

Global Port will flaunt PBA Press Corps scoring champion Gary David as the lone game follows what league officials describe as an opening day that “will be one of the best, if not the best opening rites in the history of the PBA.”

The traditional parade of athletes and the team’s respective muses will be the highlight of the opening day show, although league chair Robert Non didn’t divulge any details.

“The ceremony is designed to conform with the league’s main focus this season and that is to bring back the fans who made the pro-league as it is now—the biggest sports and entertainment show this part of the world,” Non said.

“I just cannot reveal the details yet today, but suffice it to say that all the 10 teams in this year’s cast will be contributing their share to make our opening a moment to be remembered for a long time,” said Non during the Scoop sa Kamayan Session.

Also guesting in the session yesterday was Rene Pardo, who announced the change of the name of the B-Meg Llamados to the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner’s Cup will have imports of unlimited height, while the Governors’ Cup will feature reinforcements of 6-foot-5 and below.