The 2015–16 PBA season will be the 41st season of the Philippine Basketball Association League.
The league will continue to use the three-conference format, starting with the Philippine Cup season 41.
The Commissioner’s Cup and the Governors’ Cup are the second and third conferences in the upcoming season of.
Vic Manuel tallied 22 points to lead the Alaska Aces to a 114-98 victory against the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters on Friday.
"I'm blessed with a tremendous coaching staff," said Alaska mentor Alex Compton after the game. "There was good ball movement. Offensively, we really got going."
The Aces shot the lights out, starting the game by out-scoring their opponents, 30-18. By halftime, Alaska already had 62 points to TNT's 46.
Jayvee Casio showed his old form, registering 17 points along with Sonny Thoss. Calvin Abueva added 15, while Chris Banchero rounded up the Aces in double figures with 14 markers.
"I didn't see this one coming," Compton added. "Probably we caught Talk "N Text in their off night."
Ranidel De Ocampo had a stellar shooting night with 26 points, while his fellow Gilas maintstay Jayson Castro chipped in 19. Larry Fonacier finished with 15 points.
PHILIPPINE CUP 2015-2016: TALK N TEXT VS ALASKA
EVENTS: Live Streaming & Full Game Replay
Where: Smart Araneta Coliseum.
When: Friday October 23, 2015
STREAM & REPLAY: CLICK HERE
This season will also be the first season of Chito Narvasa as the PBA commissioner Chito Salud announced 2016, his resignation at the end of the 2014–15 season. Salud, however, will remain with the PBA as he will be the new President and CEO of the league.
The Tropang Texters and the Aces face off at 7 p.m. in an exciting match pitting two teams that are among those considered title contenders in PBA Season 41.
Talk n Text is winner of the Commissioner’s Cup championship while Alaska is twice losing finalist last season.
Definitely making the TnT champion roster more formidable is the addition of Tautuaa and Rosario, prized draft selections with recent stint with the Gilas training pool.
Dylan Ababou, Dennis Miranda and Larry Rodriguez are trade acquisitions also beefing up the TnT roster with old mainstays in Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Harvey Carey, Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Matt Ganuelas Rosser, Danny Seigle and Aaron Aban.
Relegated to the reserve list is Chris Sumalinog.
Alaska coach Alex Compton, meanwhile, opted not to tinker with his lineup, coming from a solid season where they took runner-up honors in the Philippine Cup and in the Governors Cup.
The team is bringing back Chris Banchero, Cyrus Baguio, Vic Manuel, Sonny Thoss, Calvin Abueva, Noy Baclao, Rome dela Rosa, Chris Exciminiano, Dondon Hontiveros, Eric Menk, RJ Jazul, Tony dela Cruz, Jvee casio and Sam Eman.
But they may insert Kevin Racal in the lineup upon the completion of his tenure with the Letran Knights in the NCAA.
Marion Magat, Alaska’s second pick from the draft, is in the reserve list.
It’s a duel between teams with the most number of contributions to the national team in the last FIBA Asia Championship in Changsha, China.
Compton and Jong Uichico will be back as protagonists after working closely together as coach Tab Baldwin’s chief assistants with Gilas Pilipinas.
Castro, De Ocampo and Rosser will also have their tiffs on the floor with Gilas teammates Abueva, Hontiveros and Thoss.
Much attention, however, may be on Tautuaa and Rosario.
“Yes, they’re good, but they’re still adjusting to PBA play,” said Uichico.