Giants eager to bounce back

By Reuel Vidal
Manila Standard Today
October 8, 2007

The Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants may not be the most formidable team on paper. But if their preseason performance is to be any gauge, then Purefoods ranks right up there at the top of the list of teams in the coming Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Cup.

Because of their early elimination in the Fiesta Conference, the Giants were among the first teams to start practice for the coming PBA season.

Unlike other PBA teams, which are still trying to shake off the rust of their long vacation, Purefoods is already in mid-season form. In fact, Purefoods won the 2007 PBA Preseason Tournament via a five-zero sweep, the last game a morale-boosting 105-90 rout of the Magnolia Beverage Masters, formerly San Miguel Beer.

Fiba Asia Championship veterans James Yap and Kerby Raymundo combined for 39 points to power the Giants to victory. Peter June Simon, Chico Lanete, Jondan Salvador and Mark Pingris also made significant contributions. Raymundo and Romel Adducul ruled the boards with 10 rebounds apiece.

Last Saturday, the Giants continued their winning ways, routing the tired Alaska Aces, 90-71, at the Sports Kamp in Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Yap and Raymundo again carried the offensive load for the Giants, accounting for 22 points apiece. Salvador continued his return to form with 11 points, while rookie Laneta chipped in 10 markers.

But even with the jaw-dropping performance during the off-season by the Giants, their coach Ryan Gregorio keeps his feet planted firmly on the ground.

"We won the Preseason Tournament and have been successful so far," said Gregorio. "But this doesn't mean we're the top team going into the Philippine Cup. The only thing we've achieved really is to know that we can compete with the best of them. Still, our success gives us confidence about our chances because we know we can beat the other teams."

Gregorio said Magnolia, because of its deep bench, is the team to beat in the 2007-08 campaign commencing Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

He also voiced his fears that his team may burn itself out in the long tournament.

"Kinakabahan lang ako, baga sobrang aga namin mag-peak. I intend to taper off on our training. We'll start pacing ourselves in the next weeks," Gregorio said.