Purefoods stars James Yap and Kerby Raymundo flank team muse Bianca Manalo during the opening of the 34th season of the PBA on Sunday night. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5:00 p.m. — Alaska vs Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs San Miguel

Purefoods spoiled the debut of controversial rookie Japeth Aguilar as the Giants handed the Burger King Whopper a 93-80 beating at the start of the PBA’s 35th Season with the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup last Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran bigman Rafi Reavis, one of the key additions for the Giants in the off-season, had double-double 14 points and 20 rebounds – 11 of which on the offensive end – while containing the highly-touted Aguilar.

Kerby Raymundo led Purefoods with 19 point,s while shooting guards PJ Simon and James Yap contributed 17 and 12 points, respectively.

“It’s always nice to win the first game,” Purefoods mentor Ryan Gregorio said. “It this particular game, we are witness to a game where in the wheeling and dealing (of the off-season) worked. Yes we want to start on the right foot.”

“Our new guys really performed well, pretty much an indicator of things to come this conference,” Gregorio added.

Purefoods’ victory was the most lopsided in a season-opening encounter at least in the last 17 years when Mobiline defeated Tanduay Rhum (90-64), where then rookie Asi Taulava dominated fellow newcomers Eric Menk, and Sonny Alvarado, in 1999.

The 6-foot-9 Reavis was one of the several new additions to the Purefoods rosters, together with returnees Paul Artadi and Marc Pingris, as well as rookies Rico Maierhofer, the second overall pick in the last PBA Rookie Draft, and Chris Timberlake.

Aguilar, the top pick in the Draft, was held to 10 points with 10 boards in 26 minutes.

“To be honest, I did not put so much emphasis on Japeth and his sudden change of heart (to play for Burger King).I just told the team that we just have to get things done on whoever we play,” said Gregorio.

“But he can make the team go. He has tremendous talent. He can make the team win but it might take time. We know how good he is, we’ve seen him play. He’s as good as advertised,” Gregorio added.

Aguilar, who had his first practice with BK a day before the opening of the PBA, entered the game with 9:10 left in the first period.

He and the Whopper finally came to terms late Saturday when the 6-foot-10 player signed P1.8 million for a year after refusing the initial offer of P8.7 million for three years, although sources said that he will play for several games with BK and be traded to Philippine Cup champion Talk ’N Text.

The scores:
Purefoods 93 — Raymundo 19, Simon 17, Reavis 14, Yap J. 12, Maierhofer 9, Yap R. 6, Allado 6, Artadi 5, Canaleta 3, Pingris 2, Timberlake 0.
Burger King 80 — Lanete 14, David 13, Arboleda 11, Aguilar 10, Quinahan 8, Buenafe 7, Yee 5, Matias 4, Yee 4, Belga 2, Sharma 2, Aban 0.
Quarters: 21-14, 43-31, 72-52, 93-80