Photo credit: PBA.PH

The day for the San Miguel Beermen‘s first match up this 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference starts as they battle a new-look Air21 Express – one of the few teams that made major player movements after the Philippine Cup.

The two teams were also involved in moving Mike “Cool Cat” Cortez to the Express in exchange for younger point guard Alex Cabagnot. As usual, players who were just recently traded usually played good basketball when they face their former teams so expect a good match up between Alex Cabagnot and Mike Cortez in the point guard position.

Another new Beermen to watch is Joseph Yeo. He was recently acquired by the Beermen from the Sta. Lucia Realty for Bonbon Custodio. With tyhe many offensive options that San Miguel have, its interesting to see what role Joseph Yeo will play in his new team. He will also be playing alongside college arch rival Arwind Santos.

Returning for another tour of duty is our resident best import Gabe Freeman. He is expected to do the hussle plays, provide energy, defend, and grab rebounds for the Beermen. I’m excited to see how he will match up with the new imports that other teams parade this conference but I’m confident that he will do a good job.

Nelson Beltran of The Philippine Star has added some views on this game below.

Beermen open title defense versus Express
By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated March 24, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen and prolific import Gabe Freeman start their title defense in taking on the Air21 Express and debuting reinforcement Keena Young in the second play date of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum today.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. pitting two teams, which made some changes in their lineups after falling short in their bids in the recent Philippine Cup.

San Miguel overhauled its backcourt by acquiring Alex Cabagnot from Air21 for Mike Cortez then getting Joseph Yeo from Sta. Lucia Realty for Bonbon Custodio.

Air21, meanwhile, has new recruits in Cortez, Rich Alvarez, Renren Ritualo and Doug Kramer as the Lina Group franchise rebuilt its team after a poor ninth-place finish in the all-Filipino tourney.

The team lost original import choice Leroy Hickerson to an injury he suffered in a car accident a few days before his scheduled flight to Manila. But the Express are hopeful they’ve got a dependable replacement in Keena Young.

“He may not be as spectacular as Hickerson but the important thing is he’s effective. If he blends well with the locals, then we can have a good run,” said Air21 coach Yeng Guiao.

Freeman needs no introduction. He’ll be a marked man, being a player that took the PBA by storm last year.

He warmed up for his return engagement with San Miguel in helping the Philippine Patriots rule the inaugural Asean Basketball League.

With their formidable lineup, the Beermen are again considered the team to beat in this Fiesta Conference.

Barako Energy Coffee and Coca-Cola play in the 5 p.m. curtain-raiser with the Coffee Masters looking for a follow-up on their triumphant opening game versus Sta. Lucia Realty Sunday.

Sammy Monroe had an impressive debut, leading the Harbour Centre-sponsored Barako team to a 97-93 win over the Realtors.

After holding his own against Anthony Johnson, Monroe will be next up against James Penny, veteran reinforcement of a Coca-Cola team raring to improve on its sixth-place finish in the Philippine Cup.

Coca-Cola made no changes in its lineup except the reactivation of William Antonio.

The Tigers had a scrambling start in the all-Filipino tourney with Asi Taulava suffering a foot injury right in their opening game.