WIDE-OPEN TITLE RACE SEEN

The knives are out and San Miguel Beer knows it can't rest easy in its PBA Philippine Cup title defense.

- By OLMIN LEYBA

"Definitely, we'll work hard to retain the championship but alam namin mahirap ngayon, marami nang teams na lumakas. Hopefully we can defend the crown," SMB team governor Robert Non said during the recent presscon for the 50th season.

He mentioned how TNT, runner-up in the Season 49 All-Filipino, has welcomed back its injured players who were missing in the previous tournament for another shot at the crown jewel.

Aside from the usual suspects, Non also noted the threat he expects from "darkhorse" Converge, Rain or Shine and Magnolia, now under former Ginebra player LA Tenorio.

"Dapat eh magising na sa katotohanan team namin, hindi pwedeng tutulog-tulog na ngayon, ang daming magagaling na," he said.

For Meralco, there's an added motivation to wrest the crown back and get even with the very team that spoiled its title-repeat campaign last season.