Munzon tempers expectations as Titan makes debut
Debuts and defenses take center stage on the second game day of the PBA’s 50th season, which heads to Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday.
Titan Ultra makes its big-league debut at 5 p.m. against Meralco, while San Miguel Beer launches its Philippine Cup title defense at 7:30 p.m. against NLEX.
While San Miguel’s campaign in the conference it has historically dominated is a key storyline, Titan Ultra’s first PBA appearance draws added attention. The team enters the league after parent company Pureblends Corporation acquired the NorthPort franchise in the offseason.
Most Improved Player and All-Defensive Team honoree Joshua Munzon, alongside Calvin Abueva, Cade Flores, and rookie Chris Koon, is expected to lead the Giant Risers in their bid to upset the seasoned Bolts, who won the all-Filipino crown in 2024.
“We’re a new team and we have to manage expectations,” Munzon told the Inquirer. “The players and the coaches haven’t been together for a month so we have to go out there, build our chemistry and stay together.”
Munzon enters the season having grown steadily over the past two years, averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.0 steals during the 2024-2025 campaign with the former Batang Pier.
Titan Ultra also bolstered its roster by signing veterans James Martinez, Arvie Bringas, and Roi Sumang, who spent recent seasons in the MPBL.
Meralco, on the other hand, enters the conference with new uniforms and renewed optimism. After being eliminated in the quarterfinals of all three tournaments last season, the Bolts are eyeing deeper runs.
Chris Newsome, who re-signed with the team despite exploring free agency, leads the charge alongside a healthy Allein Maliksi, who returns after playing only two games last year.
San Miguel, meanwhile, is brushing off preseason tuneup losses to Converge and Meralco, focusing instead on games that matter.
June Mar Fajardo, fresh off a record-extending ninth MVP award, will once again team up with CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz. The trio will look to resume their dominant form from July, when they secured the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy against a TNT squad chasing a Grand Slam.
Rookie Chris Miller may also carve out a significant role in the Beermen’s rotation.
Meanwhile, Robert Bolick, who finished second in the MVP race, hopes to steer the Road Warriors past last year’s quarterfinal heartbreak—when they squandered a twice-to-beat edge to Rain or Shine.
