| Gone: Rudy Hatfield, Andy Seigle
Gain: Paul Artadi, Macky Escalona, JR Aquino
Mainstays: Mark Caguioa, JayJay Helterbrand, Erik Menk, Johnny Abarrientos, Rafi Reavis, Mark Macapagal, Billy Mamaril, Rodney Santos, Ronald Tubid, Mike Holper
A mixture of good and bad news awaits Barangay Ginebra fans when the Kings begin their SMART PBA Philippine Cup title defense.
The bit of good news comes from Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand. The dynamic duo is once again donning the Ginebra uniform to tend the Kings' backcourt after totally missing out the 2006-07 Fiesta Cup to serve the RP men's basketball team that saw action in three international tournaments, including the 24th FIBA-Asia Men's Championship in Tokushima, Japan
This one though will break the heart of Ginebra diehards.
Energetic forward Rudy Hatfield will no longer be around to corner those rebounds while do-it-all big man Rafi Reavis remains a doubtful presence for the Kings following the shoulder surgery he underwent in the US a few months ago.
"Alam naman natin na walang katulad si Hatfield. There's no other player who can provide the same energy that he (Hatfield) brings," said coach Jong Uichico.
That brings veteran Eric Menk and Billy Mamaril as the only big men to patrol the lanes after the Kings opted to release reserve Andy Seigle. The absence of those three bodies who played a major part in the Kings' successful title run last year casts uncertainties on Ginebra's title retention bid.
But Uichico, already used to the Kings' never-say-die spirit, has yet to concede the All-Filipino title and the Commissioner Jun Bernardino Trophy that goes along with it.
"There are players who have improved while these players (Hatfield and Co.) were gone," said the soft-spoken mentor." I'm sure they will be ready to accept the challenge."
Mamaril, son of former Ginebra stalwart Romulo, is one of them, along with long-range gunner Mark Macapagal and hardworker Mike Holper
Besides, what the Kings lacked inside the paint, they more than made up by shoring up their backcourt.
In addition to Caguioa and Helterbrand – the league's top two backcourtmen when the Kings reigned in the Philippine Cup last season – Ginebra signed up former PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Johnny Abarrientos for another year, tabbed Macky Escalona of Ateneo from the Rookie Draft and acquired speedster Paul Artadi from Purefoods.
"We're competitive enough to compete. Ginebra has always been known for not backing out from any challenges,” Uichico added. (DBC) |
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