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Wednesday, September 28, 2005
SMB faces rough start
Just as the new season is about to open on Sunday, pre-tournament favorite San Miguel Beer suddenly found itself facing a major problem after losing two key players to injuries.
Cebuano hotshot Dondon Hontiveros and Fil-Am banger Dorian Peña will have to sit it out at least the early part of the import-laden Philippine Basketball Association Reinforced Conference after suffering injuries.
Hontiveros suffered a fractured hand during a pre-season game, while Peña is suffering from stress fracture.
The injuries come at a time when San Miguel’s two other key players, Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso, are coming off injuries and are expected to be rusty.
Aside from injuries, the age factor is also bugging Beermen coach Jong Uichico.
“The team is not getting any younger and that’s our main concern now,” said Uichico, who reportedly loves to play the underdog role for his team if only to keep the pressure on the top teams in the league.
Still, the Beermen, the 2005 Fiesta Cup champions, have two bright things in store for them in the coming conference – the acquisition of sniper Christian Calaguio from Shell in the off-season and a promising import in 20-year-old Rico Hill, a 6-foot-6 guard from Illinois State.
Meanwhile, the PBA has also given a quick look on how the other teams may fare in the coming season.
Phone Pals
After coming short the last two conferences, the Phone Pals are raring to make a statement this season.
Although the team may miss the flamboyant Willie Miller due to injury early in the Fiesta Conference, the good news is it will be having a more mature and focused Asi Taulava back in the roster.
The Phone Pals can also count on top rookie picks Washington and Cardona to complement an already deep and talented bench.
But coach Joel Banal isn’t taking any chances, so he is bringing in the tried and tested Damiel Cantrell, the same reinforcement the team had in 2003, whom Banal referred to as a “warrior” and the type of import the team needs.
Alaska Aces
For the first time in nine years, coach Tim Cone admits his Alaska Aces have never been under the microscope than this season.
And for obvious reasons.
The acquisition of young guns Tony de la Cruz and 2004-05 Rookie of the Year Rich Alvarez added more depth to a core already considered one of the most athletic and promising in the league today.
Add veteran import Tee McClary to the mix and Cone has at his disposal a potential championship team that reminds him of his 1996 Grand Slam squad.
“I can say the team we have now is the deepest ever for Alaska,” said the league’s second winningest coach.
Ginebra Kings
While the Kings have been ranked alongside the league’s elite teams, their campaign this conference hinges a lot on the ability of Eric Menk to rejoin the team.
The reigning MVP has yet to complete his documents attesting to his citizenship that would allow him to resume his career.
In his absence, coach Siot Tanquingcen foresees his team to be scrambling in the middle of the pack coming into the season.
With Menk around, the league’s crowd darlings won back-to-back titles last year.
Tanquingcen hopes import, Mustafa Hoff, could fill the void left by Menk but his showing against Coca-Cola in a preseason game was far from impressive.
Red Bull Barako
Except for signing up all their three draft picks – Larry Fonacier and Paolo Bugia of Ateneo and former NCAA MVP Leo
Najorda – the Barakos didn’t tinker with their line-up for the season.
Coach Yeng Guiao thinks there’s no need to.
Putting premium on cohesion and another year of maturity, Guiao hopes to preserve their gains from last season that saw the Barakos advancing to the Finals of the Philippine Cup and the Final Four of the Fiesta Conference. (JSV with report from PBA Media Bureau)
(September 28, 2005 issue)
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