–Brgy. Ginebra kings–

Finally, a win for Ginebra, Alexander deFinally, a win for Ginebra, Alexander debuts with season-high 27 rebounds, 6 blocksbuts with season-high 27 rebounds, 6 blocks

A new reinforcement suited up for Barangay Ginebra, but it was good, old Mark Caguioa who

 played like an import at crunch time of the Kings’ breakthrough win in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference.
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<!–[endif]–>The fiery, 6-foot-1 guard accounted for his team’s final six points in the last two minutes of play as the Kings survived the Purefoods Giants, 102-99, and avoided suffering one of

the worst conference starts in the proud history of the franchise
His three-pointer just at the two-minute mark of the wild and tightly-fought game at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum sparked a telling 6-2 closing run for the Kings, which he capped with a jumper over a fallen James Yap inside the free throw line for the marginal count with 50 seconds left.
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<!–[endif]–>Caguioa’s heroics (22 points) preserved the job well done by new import Chris Alexander at both ends of the floor. The 7-foot-1 American, the latest reinforcement of the struggling Kings, debuted for 18 points, a new season-high 27 rebounds and six block shots.
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<!–[endif]–>Ginebra’s first win in six outings finally stopped the bleeding for the team in the season-ending conference. Prior to the victory, the Kings already tied their worst start in a conference at 0-5 (2000 Commissioner’s Cup) and currently we’re on a seven-game losing streak since claiming their last win at the expense of Red Bull, 115-110, in the eliminations of the Philippine Cup four months ago.
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<!–[endif]–>Naturally, a big celebration erupted at the Ginebra bench when Caguioa spoiled Purefoods’ final offensive play, tapping out the inbounds pass by Giant guard Roger Yap intended for import Darius Rice at the final buzzer.
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<!–[endif]–>“This win is a big confidence builder for us,” said an obviously relieved Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. “Hopefully, this can be the start of something good (for the team).”
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>Jayjay Helterbrand paced the Kings with 24 points and Ronald Tubid added 16.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>The loss was the second straight for the Giants whose free-fall in the standings continued. They are now at 2-4 in a tie with Alaska and Welcoat at the lower half of the leader board.
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<!–[endif]–>Rice, owner of the conference record on points at 56, had a game-high 31 markers, but is in danger of losing his job as the losses keep on piling for Purefoods.

James Yap finished with 25 while Kerby Raymundo 18 including the Giants’ final six points. His basket inside with

1:40 remaining put Purefoods on top for the last time at 99-98.
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<!–[endif]–>Caguioa then took over the game.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>A corner jumper by the Ginebra star gave the Kings the lead for good, 100-99. Following a missed three-pointer by James Yap at the other end, Caguioa knocked in the clincher, sending the throng of Ginebra fans in frenzy.
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<!–[endif]–>Alexander, coming in as a replacement for the error-prone Ernest Brown, started off well for the Kings, but slowly faded away in the endgame as jetlag finally got the better end of him.
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<!–[endif]–>Still, the former Sioux Falls Skyforce stalwart in the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) registered one of the game’s highlight-reel play following a big block off Raymundo midway in the final period and the Kings holding a slim 91-90 lead.
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<!–[endif]–>“This gives us a breather. Our import complements our local talent. He arrived Tuesday morning, had a two-day practice, so ngayon pa lang pumapasok ang jet lag,” Uichico said.
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<!–[endif]–>The scores
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<!–[endif]–>Ginebra (102) — Helterbrand 24, Caguioa 22, Alexander 18, Tubid 16, Mamaril 7, Wilson 6, Crisano 4, Valenzuela 3, Artadi 2, Salvacion 0, Pablo 0.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>Purefoods (99) — Rice 31, Yap J. 25, Raymundo 18, Simon 12, Villanueva 7, Larong 2, Lanete 2, Evangelista 2, Salvador 0, Yap R. 0.
<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–>
<!–[endif]–>Quarterscores: 24-25; 47-51; 78-74; 102-99.

–Chris Alexander new import–

Kings’ slide a mystery to Jong

BARANGAY Ginebra Kings’ coach Jong Uichico is at a loss on what’s happening to his team, following the loss of another seemingly won game against the Magnolia Beverage Masters before a huge crowd at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

“We are in the game, then all of a sudden we lose close games,” said Uichico in a conversation with Viva Sports/Standard Today. “The coaching staff had some observations. I don’t know what’s happening.”

Ginebra fans have observed that import Eric Brown is one of the reasons for the collapse, since he is too slow and not dominating despite being a seven-footer.

“He [Brown] gets tired in the end. When we really need him in the endgame he is not there,” said Uichico.

Even in the previous game against Coca-Cola, the Coke import Jason Dixon had his way in the end.

The Ginebra coach said he didn’t want to get a replacement merely for the sake of getting one. “We need to know if he can really help.”

But Ginebra scouts were reportedly looking at Chris Alexander, a 7’1” center from

Iowa State and who plays for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA Developmental League. Alexander, whose nationality is Spanish, averaged 11.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.0 shot blocks in the 2007-2008 season for Sioux Falls and may be what the PBA’s most popular team needs to pull it out of its present rut.

Uichico admitted he felt ashamed that Ginebra was now in the cellar with a 0-5 slate after the Welcoat Dragons slew fancied Purefoods for their first win. However, he praised his locals for trying their best, despite failing to win even one game so far.

The absence of Eric Menk with a calf injury has also hurt Ginebra even though Uichico commended Alex Crisano and Billy Mamaril. Ronnie Nathanielsz

 

 

 

–Washington trade to ginebra–

Washington to Ginebra, Santos to Talk ‘N Text?
By: Zean Macamay
JAY Washington to Ginebra. Arwind Santos to Talk ‘N Text. Sunday Salvacion to Air21. Another blockbuster trade in the making?

Not so fast.

The chief of San Miguel Corp.’s basketball operations yesterday branded as ‘loose talks’ the rumors that would make the two giant PBA franchises much stronger.

Robert Non denied any knowledge that the Gin Kings, the only winless team in the tournament at 0-5 (win-loss), had already acquired the services of Washington in a three-team, three-player trade.

“I am not aware of that,” said Non. “Those are only loose talks.”

The deal, according to a reliable person who requested not to be identified, said that the three teams had already agreed to push through with the transaction.

That would send Washington to the Gin Kings, while the Express will give away their best player in Santos for Salvacion. Santos will land with the Phone Pals.

“I would love to have Washington ,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. “But until now, I am not aware of that deal. Sana magkatotoo.”

Informed of the rumor, Air21 coach Bo Perasol said that it’s a pact that’s very one-sided.

“I am not belittling Sunday (Salvacion),” said Perasol. “Pero there are things na hindi kayang gawin ni Sunday na nagagawa ni Arwind.

“Even if this is management’s decision, the deal is not fair. Besides, I and Mr. Lito Alvarez (Air21 manager) had already talked about that and the last person we would trade is Arwind. He is simply the pillar of this team.”

While only a sophomore, Santos has already proven that he could be a player worth investing in. He topped the statistical points in the last Philippine Cup but lost the Best Player of the Conference Award to Kelly Wililams.

The former Far Eastern U standout also appeared in his first All-Star only last week as part of the North Team and a participant in the Slam Dunk contest where he advanced into the Finals against Williams and Ronald Tubid.

The rumors apparently got set off since the Gin Kings are now only a win away from going down to their worst start in eight years.

The last time Ginebra went winless after its first five games was in the 2000 Commissioner’s Cup.

The Gin Kings will also parade a new import in Chris Alexander when it clashes with sister-team Purefoods tomorrow. Alexander will be Ginebra’s third import this conference after Rohshon Turner and seven-footer Ernest Brown.