The lack of ceiling that hampered its title-retention bid in the recent PBA Fiesta Cup believed to have been addressed by an ambitious pre-season buildup, popular club Ginebra San Miguel looks ready to reclaim its winning ways in the coming 35th season of the country's first professional league.
The acquisition of veteran campaigners Rico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez and Paolo Bugia, all big men, and spitfirish Celino Cruz through trades, coach Jong Uichico yesterday expressed belief that his Gin Kings will be able to bounce back from their loss to sister team San Miguel Beer in the 34th season closing tournament.
And with the acquisition of the four other players from another sister team Purefoods via a third party, Uichico said in yesterday's SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session, there is no need for them to make any adjustment playing with their new teammates.
"Of course, it was a mere coincidence that Rico, Rich and Paolo are for former Ateneans. It was not designed. It just so happened that they are the players we needed and that those we released are what Purefoods need," the multi-titled Uichico explained during the session, sponsored by ACCEL.
Uichico said his new recruits have been practicing with the teams thrice already and that he is very happy with what he's been seeing.
He pointed out that what the team did in the pre-season was try to get to the standard of the opposition like the Beermen, who beat the Kings beat, 4-3 in their best-of-seven title series for the Fiesta Cup.
Cruz, for his part, said adjusting to his new team won't be a problem either since, besides having Alvarez, Bugia and Villanueva as teammates at Purefoods last season, the three also used be his teammates, along with Cyrus Baguio and Junthy Valenzuela at Red Bull.
All four said they are excited to be members of the team basketball-crazy Filipinos love most.
"Masayang-masaya ako siyempre. Biro mo for the first time, maglalaro ako kakampi ko ang buong Araneta," Villanueva said in jest. Manila Bulletin
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