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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Purefoods goes for title-clincher
COACHES Ryan Gregorio and Yeng Guiao will embark on separate missions as Game 5 of the Gran Matador Brandy PBA Philippine Cup Finals between the Purefoods Chunkee Giants and the Red Bull Barako unfolds today, after a weeklong hiatus, at the Araneta Coliseum.
For Giants coach Gregorio, whose team is leading the series three games to one, it’s all about total focus as he and the rest of the Purefoods squad gun for the title-clincher.
Gregorio expressed his relief that the brouhaha over the quest for the league’s highest individual honors is finally over and done with, and he and his boys can now turn their full attention on the series.
Gregorio admitted the team went through some anxious moments during the early stretch of the best-of-seven title series, with three of his starters in strong contention for the Most Valuable Player honors.
But with the anxiety over the MVP race now history, the young mentor said the Giants can have their sights centered on finally winning their first league championship in four years.
“It’s nice that the post-season awards is over so we can go back again to playing as a team, pretty much what we have been doing this whole conference,” said Gregorio, seeking his second championship.
Red Bull mentor Guiao, though, has other things on his mind.
He thinks it’s still possible to salvage this series as they embark on a mission to crawl back from the hole they dug themselves in.
Three straight
Guiao said winning three straight games seems improbable, but certainly not impossible for his troops to accomplish.
To prove his point, the Red Bull coach said his team has been through a lot of adversities in this conference but time and time again, the Barakos manage to find ways to overcome it.
The Barakos are facing their toughest challenge by allowing the Purefoods Chunkee Giants to get away with a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven titular series.
“I still feel we can still pull this one off. We just have to win three straight games. It’s not impossible, although it may be improbable. But considering what we went through this conference, I have no doubt about our ability to make things happen,” Guiao said.
But jaded observers cast doubts about Red Bull’s ability to steal the series, noting the Barakos’ performance in the finals as far more disappointing than impressive.
Difference
Notwithstanding their wealth of talent and experience, the Barakos have been completely outplayed in the series by a team depleted by injuries, but with a big fighting heart and determination.
“Basically, the problem is our inability to start strong and match their (Giants) energy and determination,” said Guiao, who is seeking his first All-Filipino championship.
Gregorio, on the other hand, is bent on making his players focus 100 percent on every game.
“Yes, we’re up 3-1, but it takes four wins to win a series,” said Gregorio, a strong contender to win his second Coach of the Year award.
The Giants are in a commanding position in the finals, despite the reported distraction brought about by the major individual awards.
Hotshot James Yap, the eventual MVP winner, beat teammate and closest pursuer Kerby Raymundo for the league’s highest individual honor in runaway fashion.
The two also made it to the Mythical First Team, together with another Purefoods player, Roger Yap.
Power forward Marc Pingris, also in contention for the MVP honors, was the hands-down choice as the Most Improved Player. He was also named to the Mythical Second Team and the season’s All-Defensive Team. (JSV)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 19, 2006 issue)
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