GINEBRA GOES FOR SHARE OF LEAD VS TALK N TEXT

Red Bull clashes with Welcoat, both hoping to nail 1st win
Philippine Basketball Association website
Tuesday, 23 October 2007

If its season debut was an indication, Barangay Ginebra's coming games could be a lot more demanding as the Kings attempt to protect the coveted crown against a phalanx of dangerous challengers.

The defending champions opened their campaign in the 2007-08 Smart PBA Philippine Cup with a 102-95 victory over the Red Bull Barakos Friday but drew suspicion about their invincibility after nearly blowing away a 23-point cushion.

"We are bracing for more challenges along the way because we are the defending champions. But for as long as we keep doing the things we have to do, we might have a good chance of survival," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

Health issues – particularly to his key players – pose a great concern for Uichico and the Kings.

Mark Caguioa, Ginebra's leading source of points, and star center Eric Menk both missed the team's season opener due to injuries and are not expected to suit up Wednesday night when the Kings battle the Talk N Text Phone Pals. Caguioa is sidelined by a shoulder injury while Menk is hurting out with an injured calf.

Against Red Bull, the Kings hardly felt the absence of their two superstars only because the Barakos are not blessed with biggies to man the frontcourt and intimidate in the paint.

Ginebra won't have that luxury against Talk N Text in their 7:20 p.m. encounter at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Phone Pals' frontcourt is well secured by dependable mammoths led by 6-9 Asi Taulava and rebound monster Harvey Carey, who certainly can dominate and terrorize opponents.

Uichico should also consider that TNT is coming off a disappointing 97-112 loss to Purefoods last Saturday so the Phone Pals are well motivated coming into the game.

In the absence of Caguioa and Menk, the Kings are counting on Mark Macapagal, Jayjay Helterbrand, Sunday Salvacion and Rafi Reavis in their bid for win No.2 and share the early lead with Purefoods and Magnolia.

Top rookie pick Joe Devance also joined the list of injured stars with a sprained right ankle that threatens to keep him out of the rotation as the Welcoat Dragons collide with the Barakos in the other game at 4:35 p.m.

Devance’s much awaited pro debut last Friday was met by disaster as the 6-7 Fil-Am twisted his ankle before he could even warm up as the Dragons went down in defeat, 76-85, against the Coca-Cola Tigers.

The Barakos, on the other hand, will be without their fiery coach, Yeng Guiao, who is serving a one-game suspension for confronting and berating PBA technical group chief Perry Martinez after a losing effort against Ginebra. (DBC)