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Thursday, September 22, 2005
Pals, Alaska early favorites
Talk ’n text and Alaska Milk have been installed as among the favorites to win the championship of the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup after easily emerging the valedictorians in off-season wheeling and dealings.
San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra have also been considered teams to beat, coming from successful stints the previous season.
For the PBA coaches themselves, the consensus is these four teams are the forces to reckon with in the Fiesta Cup, which kicks off Oct. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
All nine PBA coaches made their pre-season picks during the PSA Forum Tuesday at the main function room of the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila.
“Nakakataas balahibo kapag nakita mo ang line-ups ng teams na ito (These teams have very formidable line-ups),” said Sta. Lucia coach Alfrancis Chua, who observation was seconded by Red Bull’s Yeng Guiao, Air21’s Bo Perasol, Coca-Cola’s Binky Favis and Purefoods’s Ryan Gregorio.
Hontiveros injured
San Miguel coach Jong Uichico also pointed to Talk ’N Text and Alaska as the top favorites, but said his team will always be there fighting despite the recent injuries suffered by Dorian Peña (stress fracture) and Dondon Hontiveros (fractured hand).
Off-season deals by both Talk ’N Text and Alaska easily installed them as early picks to dominate the import-laden conference even as San Miguel and Ginebra are bringing back the same core that bagged all three titles staked in the 2004-05 season.
But while they may be strong on paper, Banal reminded that winning a championship will also depend on the kind of import a team would get.
“Gusto nga sana namin All-Filipino agad (We even want to go on with the All-Filipino right away),” said Banal, whose team has got an added boost with the acquisition of top rookie picks Anthony Washington and Mac Cardona. “But this is an import-flavored tournament, so a lot would depend on them (imports).”
Imports
Talk ’N Text is bringing in old reliable Damien Cantrell, who powered the Phone Pals to a third-place finish in the 2003 Reinforced Conference.
Alaska also tapped a veteran PBA import in Artemus McClary, while the rest acquired fresh faces with San Miguel getting Rico Hill, Red Bull Quemont Greer, Purefoods Marquin Chandler, Ginebra Mustapha Hoff, Air21 Sean Daniels and Coca-Cola Alex Cacarmo.
Sta. Lucia called in Lenny Cooke but decided the former Purefoods import, who figured in a vehicular accident recently, isn’t fit to play. The Realtors are still looking for a replacement.
“We’re lucky to have Tee (McClary) come here earlier and play some games with us overseas,” said Cone of the import who was with the Aces when they finished runner-up behind the RP national team during the Shell Cup invitational tournament held in Brunei.
But even before McClary came over, Alaska has already been installed a favorite after getting Rich Alvarez and Tony de la Cruz from Shell. (PBA Media Bureau)
(September 22, 2005 issue)
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