OFFICIAL PBA THREAD

COMPTON CANT PLAY, WILL COACH IN PBA INSTEAD
Tapped by Welcoat to assist Austria on the Dragons bench
Thursday, 31 August 2006
Alex Compton failed to land a job at the PBA as a player. He broke into it as an assistant coach.

Compton has been tapped by the Asian Coating Inc. franchise to work as assistant to head coach Leo Austria in the maiden voyage of the Welcoat Dragons in the pro league.


The former MBA star, who also had a stint in the PBL, will be with Caloy Garcia and Bogs Adonardo backing Austria on the Welcoat bench.

Thus, Compton, who had dreamed of playing in the PBA, is ending up in the league after all.

Compton, an American born in the Philippines, had appealed to the PBA Board of Governors that he be allowed to play in the league as a special case. He later thanked the Board for at least taking up his appeal though it was eventually turned down.

The 5-foot-11 guard decided to end his playing career at the end of the most recent PBL tourney.

Before being recruited to work as assistant coach at Welcoat, Compton was tapped by Fil-Am player Kelly Williams to be his agent-manager.

Compton, who also endorses a number of commercial products in the country, represented Williams in closing an P8.5 million three-year contract with Sta.
Lucia Realty.

Welcoat now has a complete lineup of coaches but has yet to finalize the roster of players it is fielding in the 2006-07 PBA campaign.

Management is still pursuing a trade deal with Barangay Ginebra to acquire the services of Rommel Adducul.

The Dragons and the Kings, ironically, are pitted in the opening game of the 2006 Philippine Cup on Oct. 1 at the Araneta Coliseum. (NC)
 
Whaaaaaaaaat? :lol:
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PBA Commish wants a 3-point dunk

By June Navarro
Inquirer

DOWN BY two points with a fraction of a second left, Paolo Mendoza tosses the ball from atop the free-throw line and Kelly Williams catches it in mid-air for a rim-rattling slam.

Sta. Lucia Realty wins the game by a point.

This is just one of the scenarios the commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association is offering when he recommends a new rule known as the three-point dunk to the leagues board.

Commissioner Noli Eala will bring the new scoring scheme to the board for approval before the 32nd season of the league kicks off with an all-Filipino conference on Oct. 1.

In his proposal, a dunk will be given three points if: No. 1, it is scored by a player who takes off six feet away from the basket; No. 2, a player finishes a fast-break play off a steal in the backcourt; or No. 3, a player completes a catch-and-dunk situation in mid-air.

Im really pushing hard for it because I think it will be really good for the league, Eala told the Inquirer. It will motivate players and showcase more talents while it gives the fans a sight to watch and enjoy.

It will distinguish us from many leagues, even the NBA (National Basketball Association).

But some of the leagues bigwigs have also aired their apprehensions about the proposed rule.

The PBA will become a circus once the three-point dunk gets the nod of the board, said a league governor who requested anonymity.

Even RP Team coach Chot Reyes has reservations.

That rule will defeat the purpose of training more shooters for the national team. You cannot score on dunks in international tournaments all the time, said Reyes.

I hope the board will hear my plea, said Eala. Lets try it for one conference. If it doesnt work, lets scrap it, said Eala.
 
first time i agree with you.

three point dunk? if they jump from the three point line tapos dunk, yun pa mas ok
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terrible idea...everybody is gonna try and dunk instead of shootin the traditional three...like they said...they wont have any trained shooters, the pba will start lookin like an and1 mixtape
 
Dragons give up on Adducul, pursue deal with Cabatu

The Philippine Star 09/02/2006

The Welcoat Dragons management has given up hopes on acquiring the services of Rommel Adducul and will now firm up its negotiation with rookie Junjun Cabatu to complete the team roster for the 2006-07 PBA wars.

"I believe our chance to make a deal with Ginebra is very remote. They seem to have no plan of letting Rommel go," said Welcoat co-owner Raymund Yu.

"Without a call from Ginebra, we have no other option but to settle with the team that we have right now," Yu added.

The only player left unsigned in the Welcoat camp is the 6-foot-5 center-forward Cabatu whos seeking a better deal than the one offered by the management.

But Danny Espiritu, Cabatus agent-adviser, said theyre now ready to sign a contract with the ball club.

One of three players directly elevated by Welcoat to the pro ranks, Cabatu reportedly has a standing offer of close to P2.2 million for two years from the Asian Coating Inc. franchise.

Froilan Baguion, Joey Mente, Denver Lopez, Jojo Tangkay, Nino Gelig, Jireh Ivanez, Jay Sagad, JayR Reyes, Adonis Sta. Maria, Gilbert Lao and Rob Wainwright are the other players tapped by coach Leo Austria.

Wainwrights contract, however, is expiring at the end of the month. The 6-foot-3 forward was acquired by Welcoat from Coca-Cola through the dispersal draft.

UPs Abby Santos, the 10th pick overall in the recent Rookie Draft, could end up on the reserve list or out of it all. Nelson Beltran
 
Johnny in search of team to play
By Nelson Beltran
The Philippine Star 09/08/2006

Three weeks before the opening of the 2006 PBA season, Johnny Abarrientos, who for a time the countrys premier point guard, is still looking for a team to play.

Abarrientos had been advised by Coca-Cola that that he may not be re-signed after the expiration of his playing contract at the end of the month.

The one-time PBA MVP awardee has joined Barangay Ginebra in practice once, has inquired for possible spot in Sta. Lucia Realty and has talked to Alaska team manager Joaqui Trillo for a possible return stint with the Aces.

But hes still out in the cold.

"The season is about to begin and Im still without a team," Abarrientos told The STAR in an interview.

"A contract-extension with Coca-Cola is out of the question since the team is now rebuilding. The management wants young players. Actually, they have signed up their new recruits," Abarrientos said in Filipino.

The former FEU King Tamaraw admits the wear and tear of playing has started to take its toll on him. But he said he wants to make a swan song in at least one more season in the pros.

He said he would be happy to end his PBA career where he started it all in 1993.

"I still want to end my career with Alaska although I felt bad when they traded me (in 1991 to Pop Cola)," said Abarrientos.

Trillo contacted Abarrientos Wednesday and promised to seek an emergency meeting with Alaska owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu to bring up the matter.

Alaska coach Tim Cone has said he wants Abarrientos back in his lineup.

"I understand that Im not that young anymore. In a few years, I cant play anymore. But at this time, I feel I still have more to give. Besides, I really to still love to play," said Abarrientos, now 36.

He said he appeared in Ginebras practice at the Greenmeadows Gym Wednesday upon the invitation of coach Siot Tanquingcen.

" Coach Jong said he wanted to see me but I know they have a complete lineup and its not that easy to make a trade with sister teams," said Abarrientos whos nursing a slight left knee injury.

Abarrientos had been relegated to second-string guard at Coca-Cola last season, starting only in two of 31 games he played. He averaged only 6.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds all down from his numbers the previous campaign.

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The Enrico Villanueva-Joseph Yeo rift is far from over.

Villanueva gave Yeo a sharp nudge while other players shook hands at midcourt following Red Bulls convincing win over Coca-Cola, 102-94, in the PBA pre-season series last night at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym.

"Good for him, its the only thing I did," said Villanueva in Filipino.

Timely intervention of the referees prevented the incident from escalating into a fight as the other members of the teams shook hands. Yeo was led by the referees to the dugout.

The two figured in a fight during the La Salle-Ateneo dream match last year at the Araneta Coliseum.

From The Philippines Star.

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sapatos yan, hindi trophy
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Quote:
PBA Commish wants a 3-point dunk


probably the dumbest idea since "free three" and "23 second shot clock" not to mention "MBA" :rolleyes
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"I put in everything I eat. It makes my dookie twinkle.Dave Chappelle
Click to expand...
 
LOOKS LIKE GINEBRA IS IT FOR ABARRIENTOS
Deadline 5 p.m. Tuesday for non-SMC teams
Monday, 18 September 2006

It looks like Johnny Abarrientos is heading to the Barangay Ginebra camp.

As things stand now, the only obstacle that could prevent Abarrientos from being a King is a tender offer from any of the six teams not under the umbrella of the San Miguel Corporation.

Under the PBA's existing guidelines though, interested parties have only five working days to negotiate with the veteran playmaker. The deadline is set to expire at 5 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.

Abarrientos became an unrestricted free agent last week when the Coca-Cola Tigers released him more than two weeks before the expiration of his contract on September 30 and barely three weeks before the PBA's 32nd season gets going.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico has openly expressed his interest to have Abarrientos in his star-studded team taking into consideration the fact that Jayjay Helterbrand the Kings starting point guard is hurting and may not be in game shape when the league opens on October 1.

But Uichico will have to wait until sunset today because league rules prevent teams under the SMC umbrella San Miguel, Ginebra, Purefoods and Coca-Cola from directly trading their players.

"I've talked to (coach) Jong and he said Johnny will play a significant role in his team," said Alaska coach Tim Cone.

Interestingly, Abarrientos has been quoted recently as saying that if this should be his last season, he would rather end his career with the Alaska Aces, the balllcub he helped win 10 championships, including a grand slam in 1997.

Although Cone said he is more than willing to have the 1996 MVP back on his team, the American tactician stressed that such a possibility will have to come from Abarrientos himself.

"We want Johnny to choose what is best for him. We won't make an offer because that would be forcing him to play for us. If he should rejoin the team, that decision should come from Johnny, Cone said.

From his standpoint, Cone feels Abarrientos would be better off with the Kings because Helterbrand's state of health guarantees the Flying A long playing minutes, something that he can't offer his former star guard at the moment.

"But who knows? He could be with us after one conference," offered Cone with a mischievous smile.
 
PBA TICKETS TO BE AVAILABLE ONLINE, THRU CELL PHONES
All-Team Access Passes offered, more outlets, Upper Box prices slashed
Thursday, 21 September 2006

Starting this season, the PBA will be implementing a more methodical ticketing system to lure more fans to watch the games live.

League commissioner Noli Eala announced on Wednesday that tickets to PBA games will now also be made available online and through mobile phones, aside from the regular booths and outlets located in the different playing venues and malls.

Online inquiries can be made at pbatickets@pba.ph while arrangements, preferably with Smart and Talk N Text, are still being made on how ticket purchases will be effected through what Eala termed as mobile ticketing.

"This is one way of making PBA tickets more accessible to an even greater number of basketball fans," said Eala.

The plan is in line with the league's 20/20 program aimed at raising the live gate attendance by 20 percent from last season in the hope of further boosting its net
income by another 20 percent.

Another innovative project being implemented starting this season is the All Team Access Pass, a scheme similar to the league's regular season-ticket pass but on a per team basis.

Under the system, fans can purchase season tickets to games of their favorite teams, with corresponding privileges according to their sitting areas at the Araneta Coliseum.

A Patron seat sells for P6,300, and the price includes 1 PBA shirt, an autographed item and picture of the fan's favorite player, a PBA annual, a Fastastig ID and a pre-scheduled dug-out tour.

A Lower box Access Pass is pegged at P5,500 (with 1 PBA shirt, Fantastig ID, league annual and autographed item) while an Upper Box Access Pass sells for P1,200 (with Fantastig ID, PBA annual and autographed item).

Aside from TicketNet, other ticket outlets will be put up by the league in different branches of SanMig Food Stores.

The P5 promo for General Admission seats are also being retained while ticket prices in Upper Box levels have been slashed by about 30 percent.

"Lahat ngayon tumataas, pero kami nagbababa ng presyo," said Eala. "But this is the brainchild of chairman Ricky Vargas as our way of giving back to fans the support the league has been getting from them all through these years."
 
When is the opening of the PBA ?Im excited to see the new Ginebra team
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FS:Nike AM360BB WHT/ORANGE DS sz12 7k Pm me
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TALL, YOUNG, ATHLETIC TEAM FOR AIR21
We cant wait for the season to open Express Gov. Alvarez
Friday, 22 September 2006

FOUR big men and a point guard.

Unorthodox as it may, but Air21 may soon change local basketball's landscape with its unique set of starting unit.

Consider this: 6-4 Nino Canaleta and 6-4 rookie Arwind Santos alternating at the 2 and 3 slots, 6-5 Ranidel de Ocampo manning the 4 spot and brother Yancy, at 6-8, playing center.

Six-foot guard, Wynne Arboleda calls the plays at the point.

Such prospect of having a tall, young, athletic team running together on the floor understandably thrills Air21 coach Bo Perasol and Board representative and team manager Lito Alvarez no end.

"We can't wait for the opening of the season. We're excited to see what we can do with our acquisition of Arwind," said Alvarez.

Selecting former Far Eastern King Tamaraw Santos at No. 2 overall in this year's Rookie Draft and re-signing Yancy to a new three-year deal sealed the fate of the Express' so-called Fab Five.

Santos, the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP), hooked up with the team by agreeing to a three-year maximum term worth P8.5 million.

On the other hand, de Ocampo, selected by the team as the top overall pick in the 2002 Rookie Draft, agreed to stay with the Express for another two years that would pay him a total of P7.2 million.

"We can go four-big without compromising our running game," Alvarez admitted.

Santos, a sleek, versatile forward who can post up and shoot from both the perimeter and beyond the arc, already gave a new dimension to the Express' game as shown in the way he played during the PBA Pre-Season Tournament, clicking right away with the run-and-gun style of play Air21 has been known for.

That the highly-touted rookie hit it off right away with the Express is not surprising, having already played with some of them as part of the RP national training pool under coach Chot Reyes.

"I'm happy to be with Air21.Masarap dito. Siguradong magulo kami nila (Ronald) Tubid, (Nino) Canaleta, at Ranidel (de Ocampo) na nakasama ko na sa national team," said Santos.

The Express' talent pool goes beyond their starters, though.

A quick look at their bench easily suggests that it also has the height, youth and athleticism their first unit possesses.

Tubid is Air21's valuable sixth man while Mark Telan, Homer Se, Leo Avenido, the comebacking Gary David and new acquisitions Irvin Sotto and Aris Dimaunahan all have the ability to earn starting berths with other teams.
 
PBA to unveil Pride Is Back theme
By Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star 09/25/2006

If youre proud to be Filipino, then youll fit right in with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) theme of "Pride Is Back" for the surprise show opening the 32nd season at the Araneta Coliseum next Sunday.

"Were finalizing details with the artists performing in the show that will precede the Ginebra versus Welcoat game," said PBA commissioner Noli Eala. "But for sure, the players will be involved in the number. We wont ask them to dance or sing but theyll be there to entertain the fans. The show will be all about being proud to be Pinoy and its appropriate since the first conference is All-Filipino."

Eala said the league will offer a lot of "freebies" for fans to take home on opening day.

"We want to make Oct. 1 as entertaining as an All-Star Game or Game 7 of the Finals," said Eala. "Fans are in for a treat because they get to take home a lot of PBA stuff, like those clappers which the Miami Heat distributed to fans during the last NBA Finals."

Eala said the new season will mark a sharp focus on bringing the PBA closer to fans by making it more accessible.

"For one, were launching the PBA house-pass, an all-team access pass for fans to be able to watch all the double-round elimination games of his or her favorite team," said Eala. "With the pass, a fan is entitled to free PBA merchandise, to meet his or her favorite players and even enter the dugout of the team of choice before a game. All 10 teams will be involved in pushing for the all-access pass because its a way of giving back to their loyal fans."

Tickets will also be easier to buy through an on-line service, by cellphone texting and at nation-wide San Miguel Food outlets. An added feature is the leagues subsidized pricing for upper box A tickets, down by 20 percent. The popular "Gimme Five" promotion of P5 for a general admission ticket will be back throughout the elimination round.

"The first thing that our PBA chairman Ricky Vargas asked me to look into when he assumed his position was to study our pricing policy with the view of lowering ticket cost for fans," said Eala. "Our proposal to keep the Gimme Five promotion and lower the price for upper box A tickets is in response to his direction."

Eala said the new season will usher in a few rule changes.

"We thought of introducing the three-point dunk but were shelving that for the moment," said Eala. "We will consider it again next season. Some of the new rule changes are awarding two free throws and possession on an advantage foul to discourage the disruption of the flow of the game and resetting the shot clock to 24 seconds on a kick ball. There are other modifications on situations that require the resetting of the shot clock."

Eala explained that the PBA coaches chose to defer the implementation of the three-point dunk after the Board of Governors were locked in a tie on the vote to introduce it or not.

Eala said the PBA will honor its commitment to send the national team to the FIBA-Asia Continental Championships which are held once in two years and are the qualifiers for the Olympics and World Championships. That means it will no longer send the national team to the Asian Games, held once in four years.

"But four years from now, who knows, we may send the national team to the next Asian Games depending on the circumstances and if schedules are not in conflict," said Eala. "The problem with the Asian Games is there is no set month in a year when they are held. As for the coming Doha Games, the PBA will definitely not send the national team because the preparation time is too short, the schedule is in conflict with our season and from the start, we had expressed that position in a memorandum of understanding with the NSA (National Sports Association) for basketball."

Eala said the second and last conference of the season will allow each team to bring in an import standing no taller than 6-6.

Eala added that next year, the PBA is planning to hold a tryout camp for Fil-Ams in the US.

"We know there are a lot of talented Fil-Ams out there who can play in the PBA," said Eala. "We could put out the word for them to show what they can do in a camp where they pay a fee to play. If we push through with plans to expand to 12 teams, we will seriously consider holding a Fil-Am tryouts camp in the US."

Eala said there are ongoing negotiations with at least two large corporations to join the PBA in the 2007-08 season.
 
Blue-chip rookies, balanced field ensure exciting season
By Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star 09/26/2006

With what the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has in store for fans, the leagues 32nd season promises to be more exciting than ever before.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala yesterday explained three reasons why the mood is upbeat.

First is the entry of a new batch of rookies.

"Theyre extremely talented and theyve got a big following," said Eala. "I think the rookies are more prepared to make an impact in the league than last years batch. Their skills level is exceptionally high."

Among the blue-chippers debuting this season are Sta. Lucia Realtys Kelly Williams, Mark Isip and Ronnie Bughao, Air21s Arwind Santos, Coca-Colas Joseph Yeo, San Miguel Beers L. A. Tenorio and Gabby Espinas, Alaskas Aaron Aban and Christian Luanzon, Talk N Texts Mark Andaya, Purefoods Boyet Bautista, Red Bulls Magnum Membrere and Welcoats Jay-R Reyes, Jun-Jun Cabatu, Jay Sagad and Abby Santos.

Second is Welcoats arrival to complete a 10-team cast.

"Make no mistake about it, Welcoat wont be a whipping boy in the league," said Eala. "The team may not immediately contend for a championship but itll be competitive. Welcoat has a championship tradition in the PBL (Philippine Basketball League) and I expect that tradition to carry over to the PBA. A new team also gives the league a fresh look. With Welcoat, each team plays 18 games in the elimination round and we estimate a two-conference format to consist of about 140 games, including playoffs, from 114 last season."

Coach Leo Austrias Dragons will be beefed up by comebacking Jojo Tangkay, rookie free agent Froilan Baguion (undrafted last year), Rob Wainwright, Joey Mente, Nino Gelig, Gilbert Lao, Adonis Sta. Maria and Denver Lopez.

Third is more balanced competition this year.

"The rookies went to the right teams," said Eala. "Take Williams case, for example. He brings a whole new look to Sta. Lucia and makes the team a contender again. Then, there were trades and free agent pick-ups that strengthened the teams all around."

Ginebra San Miguel had no draft pick last month but coach Joseph Uichico bolstered his lineup with acquisitions Rudy Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, Johnny Abarrientos and Rafi Reavis. Air21 swapped for Aris Dimaunahan and Ervin Sotto while Coca-Cola signed up Kalani Ferreria and Manny Ramos. Poch Juinio returned to Alaska and Willie Wilson moved to San Miguel Beer. In all, over 15 veterans switched teams in the off- season.

Eala said to enhance marketing values, the PBA will launch new efforts in media and introduce a "torch-bearers" program where 12 stars are to lead the way to growth as the "Astig 12."

On the social responsibility aspect, Eala said the league will tie up with the Department of Health in a "Wellness" campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle through programs on anti-drugs, nutrition and physical fitness.

"This is our version of the NBA Cares," said Eala. "Its relevant to the PBA because were involved in sports and committed to a holistic approach in promoting wellness."

Eala said this season, the league will schedule games in three main venues the Araneta Coliseum where 60 percent of the contests will be played, the Ynares Center and the Cuneta Astrodome. Four non-traditional venues in Metro Manila the Olivarez Gym in Paraaque, the San Juan Arena, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Rizal Memorial Coliseum will also be tapped to broaden markets.

Provincial outings are earmarked in Leyte, Isabela, La Union, General Santos City, Tubod in Lanao del Norte, Lucena, Pampanga and the Bicol region. An overseas game between Red Bull and Alaska is set in Guam this Thursday.

Eala said another overseas game is being negotiated in Singapore on Oct. 29. It will likely pit Sta. Lucia against Talk N Text in a doubleheader with an Australian National Basketball League (NBL) game.

Because of the countrys suspension by FIBA, Singapore organizers were hesitant to invite the PBA to play but NBL commissioner Rick Burton found a way to bring in the Filipino clubs as part of a twinbill. The NBL recently added an expansion team, the Singapore Slingers owned by Bob Turner, to its fold.
 
Pay cuts keep Ginebra Kings free of sticky salary issues

By Francis Ochoa
Inquirer

THE FINAL OBSTACLE to Barangay Ginebras fielding of a power roster in the 2006-07 Philippine Basketball Association season has been removed.

Four players from the Kings retooled lineup have accepted pay cuts that will allow the crowd-favorites to avoid salary cap issues this year, team manager Allan Caidic revealed yesterday.

The guys just want to play basketball, Caidic told the Inquirer. And among the things they were willing to sacrifice was their salaries.

Mainstays Andy Seigle and Rodney Santos agreed to lower salaries, citing the fact that both were coming off an injury-riddled season and that the Kings were hard-pressed to go under the P30-million cap after acquiring three marquee players in a blockbuster off-season trade.

Rudy Hatfield, one of those the Kings absorbed during that trade, also took a significant pay cut from his previous contract with the Coca-Cola Tigers.

Free-agent acquisition Johnny Abarrientos also agreed to a pact much lower than his last deal.

Caidic said he appreciated the sacrifices of the four during contract negotiations, citing the case of Seigle, who used to receive the maximum P350,000 monthly pay in his previous contract with the Kings.

Andy also realized he has a lot to prove because, like Rodney, he was coming off an injury, Caidic said.

No details were given yesterday, although Caidic said that after all the negotiations were completed, the Kings were left with enough elbow room in the cap to avoid complications later on.

Rudy and Johnny were on the same boat, Caidic said. They just wanted to get things over and done with so we can start preparing for the season.

Because of (the pay) cuts, we were able to get enough cushion to stay under the salary cap.

A source inside the Ginebra camp said the Kings may have a few complications when Santos is reactivated sometime this November, but added that the team was willing to play with 11 men if it ever comes to that.

Even with Rodney around, they should clear the cap easily with the pay cuts the players took, said the source.

Concerns arose when Ginebra agreed to a blockbuster trade that brought Hatfield, Rafi Reavis and Billy Mamaril to a side that already includes Erik Menk, Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand.

That, plus the signing of the veteran Abarrientos, a former league Most Valuable Player, put the Kings under close salary cap scrutiny.

This is the second time Caidic is involved in a pay-cut scheme to help the team fit under the cap. In 1994, when he was still playing, Caidic joined a star-studded San Miguel squad whose key mainstays, like Hector Calma and Samboy Lim, took salary cuts to accommodate the entry of The Triggerman.
 
GINEBRA DEALS WELCOAT 102-69 SPANKING
Powerhouse Kings running like well-oiled machine
Sunday, 01 October 2006
Barangay Ginebra easily won the seasons opening match, giving its diehard fans their moneys worth and expectations of a bright future in the tourney.

The souped-up Ginebra team made a good show in its maiden outing and, as expected, outplayed newcomer Welcoat Paints, 102-69, at the start of the Talk N Text PBA Philippine Cup at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

New Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, however, said the game could not be used as gauge on where his team stands now.

We beat them by a big margin. Pero unfair sa amin at sa kanila na gamitin itong gauge. Bago sila sa liga at may mga bagong players. Nangangapa pa sila sa PBA brand of play, said Uichico.

If he saw any particular good thing in the game, its his adjustment to Ginebras style of game. Were striking a balance sa style ko at sa style ng Ginebra. Mukha namang nakaka-adjust ako, said Uichico.

Uichico and the Kings worked like theyve been together for quite sometime as they got off to a good start, took the half at 53-34 and kept commanding spreads up to the finish.

Uichico started with Eric Menk, Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand and new recruits Rudy Hatfield and Rafi Reavis who delivered right away, giving the Kings a 23-15 lead in the opening quarter.

Billy Mamaril, Sunday Salvacion, Romel Adducul, Johnny Abarrientos and Mark Macapagal formed Ginebras second team, and the Kings led by as many as 21 points, reduced to 19 on Junjun Cabatus buzzer-beating jumper to close out the first half.

Hatfield, returning from a self-imposed long sabbatical, wrought havoc right in the first half then said in a halftime TV interview that I want nothing less than a championship. He had 13 points, seven rebounds and one assist in the first 24 minutes of play.

Caguioa led all scorers with 23 points with Hatfield adding 21, Menk chipping 12 and Mamaril contributing 11.

The Dragons showed some semblance of a fight in the third quarter behind veterans Denver Lopez and Rob Wainwright and rookies Froilan Baguion and JayR Reyes but the Kings were quick to scuttle Welcoats threat.

Charging within 10 at 59-69 late in the third, the Kings worked on a torrid run to again erect leads of more than 20 points midway through the fourth quarter.

After Jayjay Helterbrand banged in a three-pointer from way out to give the Kings a 72-59 margin, Baguion had his own trey from midcourt at the buzzer that drew oohs and aahs from supporters of both teams. The refs, however, nullified the basket.

After the brief lull, the Kings returned to go for the kill, completing a big win in their first game coming off a poor sixth-place finish in the last All-Filipino conference.

Up against the formidable Ginebra team, Welcoat definitely didnt do that bad.

Baguion was easily the most impressive among Welcoats rookies as he went 4-of-6 from the field and finished with 10 points, three rebounds and the same number of assists in just 18 minutes of play.

Lopez, the teams starting point guard, hit four three-pointers and paced the Dragons with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Menk scored the first basket of the season on a short jumper, then the comebacking Jojo Tangkay had his own jumper for the lone deadlock of the game.

The Kings scored 11 of the next 13 points and the rout was on.

The scores:

Ginebra 102 Caguioa 23, Hatfield 21, Menk 12, Mamaril 11, Salvacion 9, Helterbrand 9, Reavis 8, Abarrientos 4, Macapagal 3, Adducul 2, Holper 0.

Welcoat 69 Lopez 12, Baguion 10, Reyes 10, Tangkay 8, Wainwright 8, Sta. Maria 7, Cabatu 4, Ibanes 3, Gelig 3, Lao 2, Mente 2, Sagad 0.

Quarters: 23-15, 53-34, 72-59, 102-69.
 
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