MANILA---The PBA Commissioner’s Cup, a conference so swift that squads cannot even afford to blink, gets underway today, marking the league’s return to a three-conference format.

With minimal preparations and a grind-out-series ahead, here’s a look at the 10 teams who will be battling out for the coveted title.

Smart Gilas Pilipinas, raring to harness added experience from the pros for the upcoming FIBA Asia, will get a crack at PBA glory in lieu of cellar-dweller Barako Bull’s temporary leave of absence.

But it’s not going to be just another tune-up game for the PBA squads because all victories will count towards the end of the swift elimination round, giving an actual shot for Smart Gilas to win the crown.

Smart Gilas is hoping to emulate the success of Northern Cement, which was the last guest squad to win a championship in the PBA.

The Nationals, bannered by naturalization candidate Marcus Douthit along with former college standouts Chris Tiu and JVee Casio, will add a new dimension to the import-laden conference.

Douthit, a 6-foot-10 banger, is expected to cause havoc on both ends of the floor as his towering presence would likely be the main dilemma for other teams whose imports are limited to not more than six-foot-four.

Grand Slam try
Newly crowned Philippine Cup Talk ’N Text, even on a championship high, did not slow down in their preparations for the upcoming conference with a rare chance of possible Grand Slam in sight.

The Texters, who have yet to get their hands in a title beyond the All-Filipino, are likely to dominate this conference anew with their fancied roster intact paced by Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes and Ali Peek.

And to add more firepower to their already loaded artillery, the Tropang Texters had a prized find in import Paul Harris, a multi-dimensional reinforcement, whom head coach Chot Reyes cited as one of the best defensive imports they’ve ever had.

Coming off another heartbreaking finals defeat in the hands of Talk ‘N Text, San Miguel gets another chance for vindication.

But needing longer time to recuperate from an emotional loss, the Beermen only started with their workouts last Monday—focusing mostly on strength and conditioning.

Taking it slow
“We’re taking it slow,” said assistant coach Gee Abanilla.

Much like the Tropang Texters, San Miguel is highlighted by a plethora of talented wards—Jay Washington, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot among others—fortified by its burly import Ira Brown.

Brown, willing to bang bodies down low, will provide added depth to the winningest franchise in the league with his all-around game.

After a short-lived Philippine Cup stint, Alaska is hoping to bounce back in a big way with its renewed vigor.

The reigning Fiesta Cup titlist tapped Larry Demetrius Williams, a former Wake Forest standout who has been drawing raves not only from his teammates but more importantly to multi-titled mentor Tim Cone.

“We feel really good about him,” said Cone of the Williams, who bagged the 2011 NBA D-League Slam Dunk title.

Apart from their high-leaping import, the Aces will still have their usual flashy troika of LA Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio and Joe Devance carrying the scoring cudgels.

Complete core
After an injury-riddled Philippine Cup, B-Meg Derby Ace will just have to hope to parade a complete core.

The Llamados somewhat overachieved despite their bigs went down with injuries and that is courtesy of their one-two punch two-time MVP James Yap and PJ Simon who forefronted their attack.

“We’re doing better. We started practicing early. We just have to get our legs back,” said head coach Jorge Gallent, who took a leap of faith on 30-year-old import Robert Brown.

Brown, a veteran overseas player, hasn’t been as dominant but proved to be actually effective.

Perennial crowd-darlings Barangay Ginebra also had an unsatisfying stint as it was ousted in the semifinals by sister team San Miguel.

The Gin Kings though, will again have to deal with health issues as their star playmaker JayJay Helterbrand is still recuperating from a strained hamstring he suffered in a tune-up game.

But with a star-studded roster especially in the guard position, Ginebra won’t be hampered at all, with the duo of Willie Miller and Mark Caguioa providing the scoring punch with Rudy Hatfield, Enrico Villanueva and another big in import Nate Brumfield.

“He’s (Brumfield) more of an inside operator,” said head coach Jong Uichico.

Newcomer Meralco had a surprisingly good run in the last conference as it managed to enter the quarterfinal phase before losing to the Llamados

Unsatisfied with last conference’s fifth place finish, the Bolts had, by far, the busiest off-season by acquiring explosive guard Sol Mercado, streak-shooter Renren Ritualo and veteran big men Reynel Hugnatan and Marlou Aquino.

“We are practically working with a new team. So we have to fast-track everything,” said head coach Ryan Gregorio.

But it remains to be mystery whether Mercado can coexist with Mark Cardona knowing both star players need the leather to be mostly effective.

“They (Cardona and Mercado) both have incredible skills with the ball. But so far, so good,” added Gregorio, who tapped the services of another dunk champion, Tony Danridge.

Barely making the cut for consecutive seasons, Rain or Shine also shook up things by not only parting ways with their long-term main man Sol Mercado but by also making a coaching change in tapping former Air21 head coach Yeng Guiao as their new mentor.

Guiao, known for his iron hand coaching style, will bring a new complexion in the Elasto Painters sidelines, which will have new scoring options in Ronjay Buenafe and Ronnie Matias.

Rain or Shine has been dominant in the off-season, giving way to Gabe Norwood to shine on his own with the help of import Hassan Adams, who is the so-called yardstick of the imports, this conference.

Raring to get out of the bottom, Powerade and Air21 are looking to shake up the standings.

The Express traded its best scoring threat in Ronjay Buenafe in exchange for Rain or Shine’s Jay-R Reyes as part of the three-team trade.

Reyes, a six-foot-seven forward, will team up with sensational rookies Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao to form a formidable frontline.

The Tigers will again have to lean heavily on their franchise player Gary David, the league-leader in scoring in the last conference.

For Air21 and its new coach Bong Ramos, it will go down to the team’s character and not much on the offensive side of things.

As for Powerade, it will look to its import Russell Carter to give David the much-needed help in scoring.

“We’re trying to infuse some mentality that we can do it. We’re trying to believe now that we can compete against the other teams,” said head coach Bo Perasol.

Celest Flores & Mark Giongco, Phil. Daily Inquirer