PBA goes all out for flag and fans
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Sep 2012
THERE?S no reason to doubt the PBA can come up with a dream perfect road show in the new season that opens with people?s favorite Ginebra taking on Global Port, pro league newcomer, on Sunday.
For starters, league take-charge officers showed up as one in handsome brown suits, smiling like gorgeous grooms raring to take their respective bride in a mass wedding. They soon joined hands, stiffened like soldiers in a parade at center stage, and paused for posterity with a wordless vow to go all out and give fans the best that they deserve.
**
Himself speaking, youthful league commissioner Chito Salud vowed fast-paced action and balanced competition, mainly with the slew of daring rookies ready to bang it up with grizzled league veterans.
Salud said they?re going all out for the sake of the fans, life-blood of the league.
Reversals again promise to be main fare, even as defending champion Talk ?N Text, shoved off the spotlight in the previous championship, is showing up with new mentor Norman Black, a certified winner.
Tropang Texter of Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan can?t wait to start riding high again, with Petron Blaze favored to give it an early run for its money.
**
There?s reason to take the prediction about a record opening-day crowd seriously, what with perennial favorite Ginebra seeing action and sending in its latest prize recruit in LA Tenorio, hero of the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team title triumph in the recent Jones Cup in Taipei.
In fact, the PBA didn?t have to think twice in deciding to train the spotlight on the triumphant Smart national squad which will be feted at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The team sputtered and fell off the top to finish out of the medal in its next bigger outing, the Fiba Asia Cup in Tokyo.
**
But not to worry, declared PBA Commissioner Salud, who claimed that the setback was only temporary.
In fact, Salud was apparently in the process of using the fall in Tokyo to goad the Nationals to greater heights.
Salud has readily acceded to a request by national coach Chot Reyes for stronger manpower support from the PBA.
The way Salud responded, Smart Gilas could go take as many players as it needed.
?If more players, role players, he wishes to be invited to the pool, we?re willing to cooperate,? Salud said.
**
Of course, Salud fully knows how vital the strong showing of a national team is to the attendance in the PBA.
With the pro league popularity again going where the National team goes, Salud is leaving no stone unturned in gunning for a great finish both for the flag and the pro league populace.
Meanwhile, Salud did honestly note that the Smart Nationals had fallen prey to their own deplorable outside shooting in the Tokyo Fiba Asia Cup.
There?s some problem here. While Coach Chot has mentioned the names of Junman Fajardo, Kelly Williams, Marc Ingris, Arwind Santos and Jayson Castro to plug holes, mainly around the shaded lane, there was not a single candidate to remedy the horrible national shooting woes.
Going by the roster of failed outside gunners in the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team, the closest Coach Chot could turn to for fool-proof support is the long-retired Allan Caidic.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026