Lack of top post player gnaws at Uichico

By Noli Cortez
Malaya Online Edition
September 19, 2007

Crowd-favorite Ginebra will continue trying to shore up its frontline despite drawing blanks on two prospects.

Coach Jong Uichico, however, yesterday admitted there is a distinct possibility the Kings will defend their PBA Philippine Cup crown with no real go-to guy in the post.

"We will try to be competitive, try to make trades to fill up the vacuum," Uichico told Malaya over the phone yesterday. "Pero mukhang puro imposible (through trades) because the player other teams want are those we don't want to give up. Kaya ang kalalabasan, status quo kami."

Uichico said he has no personal knowledge of any trades being brokered by the Kings, but the likes of Nic Belasco and Don Carlos Allado would have been welcome addition to his team.

"Mula sa point hanggang small forward, kumpleto kami. Pero du'n sa kuwatro (power forward) at singko (center) kami kami malaki ang kulang," he pointed out.

Ginebra tried to trade Mike Holper and Macky Escalona for Belasco, who initially spurned Welcoat's offer. The Dragons earned the right to the 33-year-old forward in a trade with Alaska for Junjun Cabatu.

Belasco, however, had a change of heart late last week and is likely to come to terms with the Dragons within this week.

Before that, the Kings also tried to pry Allado away from Talk N Text but the Phone Pals reportedly wanted Rafi Reavis in return, leaving the deal dead in the water.

Ginebra management is reportedly bent on pursuing other trade possibilities. There are also talks Kings center Andy Seigle's contract will not be renewed.

Uichico said it is understandable why Ginebra management is exploring every possibility.

"Lahat halos ng ibang teams nakakuha ng at least isang impact player o role player who can complement their established stars (in the draft). Kami lang ang wala," he pointed out. "So while others can only get better, kami stagnant."

In a way, Uichico knew the trade talks for either Belasco or Allado would fall through.

"All along, alam kong 50-50 lang ang chances na matutuloy. Mahirap kasi na ituloy na one relatively old player at ang kapalit two young guys," he said.

The teams being allowed to carry 14 players in their lineup this season also did not help Ginebra any.

"Kung dose lang sana isang team, siguradong me sosobra sa ibang teams and an easier trade could be brokered. Pero katorse nga ang puwedeng dalhin. The teams can really stack up."

For now, Uichico is concentrating on making the most of what's on the table. Still, the lack of an agile big man gnaws at him.

"We can still gang rebound, do those outlet passes, run and defend. But we still lack a go-to guy in the post," he said.