Surprise teams rise, fall in PBA Cup

source: Nelson Beltran | philstar.com

To many, the faltering starts by San Miguel Beer, Rain or Shine and Coca-Cola and the highly competitive showing by Barako Bull have been the biggest surprises so far in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup.

Alaska, Sta. Lucia, Ginebra and Talk n Text set the pace but experts said it is too early to say how the poles of power will shift.

The all-Filipino tourney has taken a short break in observance of the All Saints Day. It resumes Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum with San Miguel tangling with Rain or Shine and Alaska tackling Sta. Lucia.

PBA coaches point to Barako Bull as the biggest surprise as the lowly regarded team came out strong and is now on equal footing with San Miguel and Purefoods on identical 2-2 win-loss marks.

“Barako is a big surprise not only because of two wins but at how much fun they are to watch,” said Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes.

“They (the Energy Boosters) bring blue-collar effort that can beat any team on any given night,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone of the Barako Bull team featuring a roster without marquee player.

“Barako is a big surprise. Now we know, they can beat any team that takes them for granted,” said Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico.

“The Barakos are playing inspired basketball. They have a bunch of players who want to prove that they belong here and it is a testament to the old adage ‘thewill is more important than the skill, ’” said Purefoods tactician Ryan Gregorio.

San Miguel, Coca-Cola and Rain or Shine are off to a struggling start but no one is counting them out.

The coaches said adjustments are to be made, and this could trigger a change in fortunes of the ball clubs. They are particularly wary ofSan Miguel.

“Sta. Lucia and Barako have good records because they were ready to play right at the start of the tourney. But there are teams that will peak as the tourney goes on. I expect San Miguel to be a strong team by the time the tourney is in its playoff phase,” said Coca-Cola coach Kenneth Duremdes.

“San Miguel will be up there once it gets into the groove of things. Rain or Shine and Coke are down right now but I know these teams have players who can make things happen,” said Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez.

“You expect some kind of championship hangover with San Miguel but they seem to have straightened out now,” said Cone.

Sta. Lucia, a team running second behind Alaska (4-0) with a 3-1 mark, is highly regarded largely because of its fearsome duo of Kelly Williams and Ryan Reyes.