Jumbo, Mighty Sports clash in PCBL opener

Inaugural champion Jumbo Plastic takes on the Kiefer Ravena-led newcomer Mighty Sports to open hostilities in the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL) Chairman’s Cup at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center.

The Linoleum Giants, who won last year’s Founders Cup, expect a tough encounter against Mighty Sports in the 5 p.m. game of the league’s second conference supported by Ambucore, Accel, Hahn Manila, Gerry’s Grill and Spalding.

Sta. Lucia and Euro-Med, two teams that made the semifinals last conference, meet in the second game at 7 p.m.

Ex-pros James Martinez, Marcy Arellano and AJ Mandani along with Founders Cup Finals Most Valuable Player Jeff Viernes and JR Taganas lead Jumbo Plastic’s bid to secure its second straight crown.

But out to give Jumbo a rough start is Mighty Sports, which made headlines by tapping the services of Ravena, the two-time UAAP MVP from Ateneo and one of the country’s best amateur standouts.

Aside from Ravena, Mighty Sports also signed former Rain or Shine guard TY Tang, former Adamson mentor Mike Fermin as coach and erstwhile PBA and Ateneo tactician Bo Perasol as consultant.

Spicing up the Chairman’s Cup are the additions of imports mostly from the collegiate ranks.

Jumbo will have NCAA RookieMVP Allwell Oraeme of Mapua while Mighty Sports tapped Bright Akhuetie of University of Perpetual Help.

In the second game, Sta. Lucia and Euro-Med begin their quest to improve on their semifinal finishes in the Founders Cup.

Sta. Lucia will have Southwestern University’s Landry Sanjo as import and former University of the Visayas star Wowie Escosio leading the local contingent while Euro-Med has Letran standouts McJour Luib and Jomari Sollano and former University of the East mainstay Bong Galanza.