MANILA, Philippines — Whether it was right to trade Sol Mercado or not will be known Sunday as Rain or Shine and Meralco clash while Alaska and Ginebra dispute the early lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
Mercado was traded by Rain or Shine to Meralco last month in a move that surprised many since the 6-foot Fil-Am has already made a name for himself with his long list of end game heroics.
So when they square off starting at 4 p.m. expect Mercado to make a statement against his former team as he joins veteran Macmac Cardona making their partnership one of formidable backcourt duo in the league.
“Not really emotional, but it will definitely give me extra motivation to play hard,” Mercado said. “I’m looking forward to going up against guys I used to practice with everyday, but just another big game we need to win.”
The 26-year-old Mercado was the No. 5 pick in the 2008 PBA Rookie Draft by Alaska, which, shipped him to Rain or Shine the following day for Joe Devance. He teamed up with his buddy Gabe Norwood and the two helped elevate the franchise to a playoff contender.
Both Ginebra and Alaska hurdled their opening game assignments with the Kings handing the Bolts a 115-98 beating in Laoag City last week, while the Aces defeated the Powerade Tigers, 106-82, last Wednesday.
The franchise made the move following the arrival of Yeng Guiao, turning the team to a more defensive-minded unit with the acquisitions of Ronjay Buenafe and Ronnie Matias from Air21 (in a trade for Jay-Arr Reyes), as well as Beau Belga from Meralco.
Belga and Buenafe played key roles in the Painters’ stunning win over the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, 95-94, last Wednesday. Import Hassan Adams led the team in scoring with 30 points while Ryan Arana added 18.
Guiao expressed satisfaction with the victory, but he said they have to play even harder as he expects Meralco to come out strong.
“It’s a good win to start the conference,” Guiao said. “We have to play tough on defense on Meralco, which for me is a strong contender. The team that lost (against Ginebra) is not the Meralco I know. They are tough to beat.”
As for the Bolts, coach Ryan Gregorio will rely anew on import Tony Dandridge, who debuted with 30 points, Mercado, as well we last conference’s scoring leader Mark Cardona, who only scored six points against Ginebra.
Meantime, in a battle of two teams which reportedly negotiating on a blockbuster deal, the Air21 Express stunned San Miguel Beer late Friday with a 92-87 win as sophomore guard Josh Urbiztondo fired 31 points.
Ginebra import Nate Brumfield was impressive in his debut as he almost registered a rare triple double with 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while the high-leaping LD Williams of Alaska had 21 markers and eight boards.
“It’s going to be a big test, we know that Alaska is always a tough team to beat,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
source: manila bulletin
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