Ginebra to sport new look

By Reuel Vidal
Manila Standard
October 12, 2007

Defending Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Cup champion Barangay Ginebra will be a radically different team from the one that won the title last year.

The Gin Kings will be a smaller, but faster unit.

Ginebra lost workhorse Rudy Hatfield, did not sign aging big man Andy Seigle and Rafi Reavis’ health is a concern. The team also released Gec Chia and Egay Echavez.

In their place, Ginebra got four guards: Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand, who return from their stint with the national team, former Purefoods point guard Paul Artadi, and rookie point guard Macky Escalona, formerly of Ateneo.

Eric Menk, Mike Holper and Billy Mamaril will still patrol the middle. Mark Macapagal, Rodney Santos and Ronald Tubid will still provide the outside firepower and Johnny Abarrientos will still be around to provide the veteran presence.

But from a team that routinely overwhelmed its opponents inside, through sheer size and strength, the Gin Kings have been transformed into a finesse team that will need to hit its outside shots consistently and beat the other team down the court to score baskets before the defense can set up.

This will truly be coach Jong Uichico’s team now. With his fleet-footed guards, Uichico can consistently set up mid-court traps and double-teaming defenses down low.

Whether this Ginebra team will be as successful as the team assembled by Siot Tanquincen, which was steered by Uichico to the All-Filipino title last year, remains the big question.

Meanwhile, Magnolia Beverage Masters forward Danny Seigle was meted a P10,000 fine by league officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios for punching Mamaril during a tune-up game last Wednesday at the Green Meadows Gym.

A review of the game tape showed that Seigle punched Mamaril at least three times after excessive jostling and elbowing while jockeying for position.

Barrios said the offense would have drawn a stiffer fine and probably a suspension had the incident taken place during a regular PBA game.