The Cellulars will parade a host of new acquisitions including Jeffrey Cariaso, the former sixth man of Alaska, and No. 1 draft pick Andrew Joh Siegle. The match is set at 5:30 p.m. following a glitzy opening rites starting at 4 o'clock. "A lot of people are saying that we are not as strong as last year because of the loss of our key players but I really am impressed with the way the team has been doing in practice right now and we're ready to go to war this year," declared coach Tim Cone. Cone will have Norman Black, also acknowledged as a champion mentor whose winning records include a grandslam trophy, as rival from the Mobiline bench. "This team is raring to go out and make good," said Black, who actually started the string of pre-season surprises when he severed his ties with San Miguel Beer late last year.

"I know we're gonna be the target of the rest of the teams but that's okay. That's the least of our concerns. Our focus right now is to defend the All-Filipino Cup which, to me, is the most important of all," said Cone. "If we win the second or third conference, they're gonna say it's because of our imports. But if you win the All-Filipino, there's no doubt about it, you're the best team in the land." Pundits, however, say it is easier said than done and that Alaska is the same team anymore what with the departures of Cariaso, backup point-guard Jun Reyes to Sta. Lucia, big man Cris Bolado to Pure Foods and Giovanni Pineda to Formula Shelll while acquiring Dwight Lago, Rodney Santos, Boyet Fernandez and Bryant Punzalan. "We have some adjustments to make but I firmly believe we are as good as we were last year or seen better," countered Cone. "It doesn't necessarily mean winning another grandslam but raising the level of our game a notch higher."

Cone went on to describe some of his new players as having potentials to excel. "I'm really impressed with Dwight's skills. If we had a game immediately tomorrow, he would make an impact right away. Rodney has a potential to develop into a Kenneth Duremdes or a Vergel Meneses but he needs to work on his defense and needs a couple of weeks to add strength to his upper body probably through lifting weights."

Alaska's big men earn the first crack at Siegle, the Fil-American rookie billed as a real threat inside the lanes with his well-built, 6-foot-8 frame and quick moves. Meanwhile, Cariaso corrected reports that Noni Mediarito is his agent-manager and that the latter was responsible in his getting a lucrative deal from Mobiline. "I want to make it clear to everyone that Noni is not my manager. He's just a close family friend," said the cager during a radio interview. -EDGARD A . HILARIO