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New, old imports complete PBA cast
Written by staff   
Monday, 16 February 2009 02:17

New, old imports complete PBA cast The KFC PBA Fiesta Conference, which is to showcase a balanced mix of new and old imports, opens shop with a road game in Dumaguete on Feb. 28 before featuring its first regular twinbill at the Araneta Coliseum on March 1 with Philippine Cup champion Talk n Text up against Purefoods in the 6:30 p.m. mainer.

Rain or Shine, coming off a breakthrough performance in the All-Filipino tourney, collides with Barako Bull in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser in the initial twinbill.

Reigning champion Barangay Ginebra and Philippine Cup losing finalist Alaska Milk kick off their campaigns versus Coca-Cola and San Miguel Beer, respectively, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on March 4.

The next doubleheader is set at the Astrodome on March 6 pitting Barako Bull against Coca-Cola and Ginebra versus Burger King, and the next road game is slated in Batangas City on March 7 pitting Purefoods against Rain or Shine.

The Commissioner’s Office finalized the opening week schedule just as almost all the teams have finished their search for their respective imports.

San Miguel Beer was the last to announce its choice, enlisting former Oklahoma Sooner Nate Carter.

The Beermen’s acquisition of Carter, a 6-foot-6 forward, brought to five the number of new imports who are to bring their acts in the local pro league.

The other fresh faces are Scooter McFadgon for Red Bull, A.J. Jackson for Sta. Lucia, Reggie Larry for Purefoods and possibly Titus Wade for Talk n Text.

The returning imports are Shawn Daniels for Burger King, J.J. Sullinger for Coca-Cola, Red Nealy for Ginebra, Charles Clark for Rain or Shine and possible Rosell Ellis for Alaska Milk.

Talk n Text’s original choice is Rashad Bell but the former Coca-Cola import is still tied up in another league.

The Kings hope to be the first team in a long while to defend a title in the reinforced tourney while the Tropang Texters bid to be the first team to score a season sweep since the league shifted to two-conference format.

With a brief rest following a stint all the way to a deciding Game Seven in the Philippine Cup, the Texters and the Aces are expected to have a tough time coping up with well-rested rivals in the Fiesta Conference.

The key for the two teams is to acquire a well-rounded import which can carry much of the fight at least in the early part of the tourney.

And that could well be the main reason why coaches Tim Cone and Chot Reyes are in hot pursuit of their old imports — Ellis and Bell.

Tags: PBA  Basketball  
 
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