The PBA On Tour, an exciting addition to the league’s regular calendar, has finally commenced after a break to accommodate Gilas Pilipinas’ preparations for the FIBA World Cup. The much-anticipated lone kickoff match took place at the Caloocan Sports Complex in Bagumbong, Caloocan on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Presented by Arena Plus, with Bingo Plus as the major sponsor, the 5 p.m. showdown offered fans a glimpse into NLEX’s progress under the guidance of coach Frankie Lim, as well as a sneak peek into what Blackwater has in store under the debut coaching of Jeffrey Cariaso.
In this preseason series, both teams entered the court with their familiar lineups. The format involved a round-robin play without playoffs or a championship series, allowing the ball clubs to focus on building chemistry and fluidity.
Last season, the Road Warriors secured a mid-table position, ranking sixth in the eliminations of both the Philippine Cup and the Governors’ Cup, and ninth in the Commissioner’s Cup. On the other hand, the Bossing showed promise by making the playoffs in the All-Filipino tournament but experienced early exits in the two reinforced tourneys, primarily due to a string of unfortunate injuries to key players.
Notably, both teams chose to retain their rosters for the “On Tour” series, prioritizing stability and continuity. Each side aimed to adapt to the strategies implemented by their new coaches while honing their teamwork.
Jeffrey Cariaso stepped into the role previously held by Ariel Vanguardia and inherited a talented crew led by skilled guards JV Casio, Baser Amer, and Rashawn McCarthy. This trio continued to spearhead the team, accompanied by a roster that boasted the likes of RK Ilagan, Mike Digregorio, Rey Suerte, Renato Ular, James Sena, Troy Rosario, Tyrus Hill, Richard Escoto, Mike Ayonayon, Rey Publico, Joshua Torralba, Yousef Taha, and Gab Banal.
Meanwhile, Frankie Lim had an array of talented players at his disposal, including Kevin Alas, Don Trollano, Sean Anthony, and the SEA Games gold medalist, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser. The lineup further comprised Tzaddy Rangel, Reden Celda, Mike Miranda, Clint Doliguez, Kris Rosales, Philip Paniamogan, Matt Nieto, Dominic Fajardo, Hesed Gabo, Bong Galanza, and Anthony Semerad, along with the seasoned veteran Asi Taulava.
