The PBA on Wednesday formally announced that Pureblends will be officially taking over the franchise of the NorthPort Batang Pier during the league’s pre-Season 50 press conference held at the Shangri-La The Fort. The new kid on the block will be known as “Titan Max Giant Risers,” and its high-ups are already talking a big game, vowing that the team will rise up to the challenge and give the rest of the PBA field a good fight.
“For the composition of the team, I have to admit we’re still young,” said Titan Ultra team governor Emil Tiu during the same presser. “But we have a complete lineup. We will give the strong teams a fight without saying ‘kuya.’ Lalaban din kami.”
So far, if the PBA preseason games are any indication, Tiu might be on to something. The Giant Risers, then still the Batang Pier, won their first tune-up game by overcoming NLEX Road Warriors and then roared back from a 19-point deficit to force the Phoenix Fuel Masters into a draw.
Can the Giant Risers’ Gigantic Aspirations Be Accomplished?
To be fair, Tiu only vowed that the Giant Risers will put up a good fight in PBA Season 50. But that, in and of itself, is a huge promise already considering how vastly improved the field has gotten. And that begs the question, can the Titan Max franchise give the other teams a run for their money?
Off of personnel alone, the answer might be “yes.” The Giant Risers do have some talent, with the quartet of Joshua Munzon, Cade Flores, Fran Yu, and Calvin Abueva coming to mind. James Kwekuteye has shown flashes of brilliance and could be primed for a leap this season, while newly acquired Jeo Ambohot provides size up front and could be in line for a breakout as well.
What’s more, the Giant Risers have an exciting prospect in Chris Koon, who at 6-foot-5 could be the kind of do-it-all point forward who could help coach Johnedel Cardel unlock different lineup combinations. Another rookie, Mario Barasi Jr., adds even more size to the Titan Maxx frontcourt.
Obviously, the Titan Maxx Giant Risers aren’t championship material by any means. But it appears they have enough talent to give a giant fight with max effort.
