Gregorio and his Giants stress domination of Philippine Cup field

By Dave Coros
Business Mirror
October 26, 2007

IT’S early in the season but Purefoods Chunkee coach Ryan Gregorio’s body language seems to indicate that the Giants are heading for the title playoffs.

Who can blame the vibrant, boyish-looking coach anyway, if he walks around flashing his infectious smile as if he’s doing a shoot for a toothpaste commercial?

Considered a dark horse by self-proclaimed experts, the Giants have shown great determination and courage in their first two games and if they could sustain it, chances are they’ll find themselves in the title race.

James Yap and Kerby Raymundo, who missed the entire last conference to join the Philippine team that played in the FIBA-Asia Championship are making up for lost time by coming up with standout performances.

James Yap played like the league’s Most Valuable Player two years ago and sparkled on offense scoring 29 and 24 points, respectively, in their first two games, while Raymundo was a terror in the lane averaging 14 boards a night as the Giants survived tremendous challenges to subdue the Sta. Lucia Realtors, 96-89, in their season opener then followed it with a 112-97 dismantling of the Talk ’N Text Phone Pals in Dumaguete City.

The duo is also getting tremendous support from Mark Pingris, Jondan Salvador, Roger Yap and rookie free agent guard Chico Lanete.

Those encouraging signs keep Gregorio optimistic, although he has cautioned his troops to brace for another intense encounter when they face off with the Magnolia Beverage Masters.

“This is the acid test for us,” said Gregorio of their 7:20 p.m. Smart Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup tiff at the Araneta Coliseum that pits two unbeaten teams.

“Magnolia is the tournament favorite so it’s exciting to see how we could match up with them.”

Indeed, it’s interesting to watch how Raymundo, Pingris, Salvador and Rommel Adducul handle Magnolia’s hot property led by Danny Seigle, Danny Ildefonso and Rico Villanueva.

Magnolia’s Big Three along with Dondon Hontiveros and Lordy Tugade scored in double figures against the Air21 Express and the Sta. Lucia Realtors—both won games as the Beverage Masters kept the Giants company at the top.

Gregorio acknowledges that they will have to play a great game to beat Magnolia and he believes his troops will be able to respond to the challenges because “we will be coming into the game with a high confidence level following that victory against Talk ’N Text.”

Unofficially, the Giants hold a 1-0 edge over the Beverage Masters, having beaten them in the preseason finals.

“It’s also an added motivation knowing that the winner will take the solo lead,” Gregorio said.

The other game at 4:35 p.m. between Coca-Cola and the Alaska should also be interesting as Willie Miller and Co. try to arrest their two-game skid.

Obviously, Alaska’s bench is deeper than Coca-Cola’s but the Tigers, who are seeking win No. 2, seem to have adjusted well under the new rules being implemented by the league, something the Aces are still trying to adopt to.