But can the Port Masters conjure up the same magic and drawing power that had made them one of the league’s popular squads?

Though the team lost some of its marquee players, including the now pro Mark Cardona of La Salle, Paolo Bugia and Larry Fonacier of Ateneo, Mikee and Nikki Romero, the young owners of the country’s biggest non-containerized port terminal, think so.

Consider the cast newly-installed coach Dindo Pumaren has formed: the speed and athleticism of Joseph Yeo and NCAA stalwart Kevin dela Pena in the backcourt, the brute strength of Fil-Am Robbie Reyes and Jerwin Gaco at center and the outside–inside game from Jenkins Mesina, Christian Luanzon and Red Vicente from the wing.

"We lost some of our key players but our commitment to play to the highest level remains the same. Fans want to see a disciplined team, one that plays real hard but clean and that’s what we are going to do," said Romero, who has supported several teams in various leagues, among them, the NBC, MBL and even in the UAAP.

"Our basketball programs are geared toward luring children away from dangerous drugs or any misadventures, and in the same time giving them aspirations in terms of having a solid future," said the young chief executive. "Basketball leads you to places and that’s the reason why we are helping players at different levels."

While the team is loaded with several top shooters, Yeo, who has matured a lot as a player and as a person, will be the logical choice to be the team’s go-to-guy, a role Cardona played distinctively last conference.

Jerome Paterno, a member of the Mythical Five in the NCAA, Marcy Arellano and Earn Saguindel will also be there to provide the needed firepower while guard Ryan Dy will bring stability to the team along with Mesinas, Rommel Dizon and Richard Alonzo.

Dy, for one, played a major role in Welcoat’s championship ride the last conference, and he’s no ordinary sidekick. He can penetrate and shoot from afar.

Also in the team are Angel Raymundo and Jason Ballesteros, who given extended minutes on the floor would blossomed into topnotch players someday although they are already considered a "force" to the team.

"We have a young team because only four are holdovers from last conference’s team. Despite that, we have a fighting team," said Tonichi Yturri, the team’s former coach who has been elevated as team manager.

Pumaren will have June Tiongco and Vic Escudero as assistants, while Erick Arejola has also been promoted as assistant team manager. Derick Pumaren remains the team consultant of Harbour Centre, the country’s biggest international breakbulk and bulk terminal.