Ginebra, Alaska not high on list of RP Cup contenders

By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer
Last updated 04:58am (Mla time) 09/29/2007

MACAU -- Barangay Ginebra and Alaska won the two PBA titles disputed last year, both in gripping fashions over separate foes.

Both, however, don’t rank high among the consensus teams-to-beat in the Philippine Cup, which takes the lid off of the league’s 33rd Season starting October 14 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text shared top billing when members of the PBA board, those who represent the owners of the teams, were asked who they thought had the most chances of coming out on top in the coming tournament.

Most members said this is because both teams flaunt complete lineups, with one board member joking that the two could be split into four competitive sides.

The Gin Kings, who will defend the Philippine Cup after a 4-2 win over San Miguel last year, will miss gunslinger Mark Caguioa, at least for the first week of action, according to Robert Non, their representative in the board.

Caguioa, the Finals MVP in that series, is still rehabilitating a sore shoulder with another crucial piece in the rotation, Rafi Reavis, recovering from an operation for the same injury.

Alaska, meanwhile, still doesn’t command the fear it used to in the 1990s, when it built a dynasty centered on a 5-foot-8 guard now playing in the final years of a super career with Barangay Ginebra.

“I like that [being the underdog],” said Non at the airport, just as the entourage that went here for a series of meetings prepared to leave for home. “At least the pressure to deliver will not be on us. It’s different playing pressure-free.”

Alaska representative Joaqui Trillo, despite signing rookie big men Ken Bono and JR Quinahan, said that Air21 and Purefoods should also be in the list of favorites.

“Let’s face it, San Miguel and Talk ‘N Text are truly loaded teams,” said Trillo, whose team leader, Jeffrey Cariaso, is also recovering from a leg injury that kept him out of their championship-winning series against the Phone Pals for the Fiesta Cup.

The Beermen and the Express open up hostilities in the only game scheduled on that Sunday following techno-inspired opening rites at 4:30 p.m.