Ginebra, Alaska flex muscles

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph

The PBA’s 35th season is just a week old but Barangay Ginebra and Alaska Milk have already made an impact by posting two convincing wins in the KFC Philippine Cup.

The Aces and the Kings, both runners-up in the previous two conferences, roared past rivals on opening week, including a huge victory each over fancied San Miguel Beer, to stay on top of the standings.

Alaska opened its campaign with a resounding 99-83 win against the rebuilding Barako Bull last Wednesday where former two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Willie Miller collected his third career triple-double with 19 points 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

The Aces then stunned the Beermen, 85-74, with Miller delivering another solid game with 25 points in Panabo City.

Ginebra, on the other hand, welcomed the return of Mark Caguioa with a 98-86 triumph against San Miguel.

The 6-foot Caguioa, who was sidelined last season due to tendonitis, fired 15 of his 17 points in the third quarter in his first game back, while Eric Menk had 18 points and nine rebounds and reigning MVP Jayjay Helterbrand added 17, seven boards and nine assists.

With Menk out in their second game, the Kings turned to Helterbrand, who scored 19 points with five rebounds and nine assists in their 95-85 win versus the Purefoods Giants. Willy Wilson came off the bench to add 16 points.

“We just hope that we keep on improving,” said Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico following his team’s victory over Purefoods.

Alaska coach Tim Cone said it’s too early to tell or use their two wins as a gauge, saying: “Not much to crow about. Beat an undermanned Barako Bull team and ‘hangover’ SMB squad but certainly better than 0-2. Tough weekend coming up for us, it will be telling.”

While Alaska opted to keep its team intact – at least for this conference – Ginebra made some adjustment with its roster, especially on their frontcourt rotation.

The Kings got in a three-team trade Rico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, and Celino Cruz from Purefoods, while the Aces decided to stick with Miller, who admitted that he’s happy that he’s still with Alaska despite off-season rumors that he will be traded to another team.

Despite losing forward Rafi Reavis and guard Paul Artadi in the trade, the arrival of Villanueva and Alvarez has solidified the Kings’ frontline rotation,
while Cruz has been a steady playmaker so far as a back-up to Helterbrand.

But their mettle will put to test when they clash on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Also making their presence felt are defending champion Talk ’N Text, which downed Rain or Shine, 85-76, and 2008 Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty, which won against Coca-Cola (95-76).

Burger King and Barako Bull have also shown their resolve by bouncing back after dropping their opening game assignments.

After losing to the Giants, 80-93, the Whopper turned back the Smart-Gilas RP Team, 115-105, while the Energy Boosters rebounded from their loss to the Aces with an 81-73 win over the Tigers last Sunday at the Big Dome.