Helterbrand raring to go, but Kings still wary

source: Joel Orellana | businessmirror.com.ph

Jayjay Helterbrand may be all set to plunge into action, but Barangay Ginebra is not taking any chances.

Kings head coach Jong Uichico said the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) will most likely suit up in the team’s final elimination-round game in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.

“Mahirap biglain ’yung injury ni Jayjay. Unlike kay Mark [Caguioa] na puwede ilaro for a few minutes, kailangan pa ring ipahinga ’yung injury [hamstring] ni Jayjay,” Uichico said minutes after beating Talk ’N Text, 105-82, on Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

“We might field him in the last game of the elimination. We just want to make sure that he’s 100-percent ready when he plays again,” Uichico added.

Caguioa, after missing Ginebra’s last 13 games due to tendonitis, scored eight points in nine minutes in his return to the Kings’ lineup.

The victory allowed Ginebra to catch up with the Tropang Texters in third spot with a 10-6 win-loss mark, boosting its chances for a top-five finish.

With two games left, the Kings actually have a mathematical chance to force a playoff for the No. 2 spot for the automatic semifinals slot but fate is not on their hands anymore.

“Getting into the quarterfinals was our original target, especially with the injuries we have at the start of the tournament,” said Uichico, whose wards play Alaska on Saturday in Batangas City and Burger King on January 17.

“I don’t know if we can still get an outright semis berth but we’ll be happy if we land in the quarterfinal round,” he added.

Helterbrand has not played in the last seven games of the team although there were times he was in uniform but was not fielded in by the coaching staff.

Caguioa gives Uichico a boost in offense, but the 2001 Rookie of the Year was still a step slower in his comeback game against the Tropang Texters, the reason he was used sparingly.

“If ever Mark will play again in our next game, ganoon lang ang minutes na puwedeng ibigay ko sa kanya dahil hindi pa namin siya puwede biglain,” said Uichico.

“We’ll see kung ano ang magiging reaction ng knees niya after this game. Hopefully, kung makapasok kami sa semis, makumpleto na kami,” he added.

Another key Ginebra player on the sideline is Junthy Valenzuela, who is yet to see action in the All-Filipino tournament. Valenzuela underwent knee surgery but has yet to take part in a full practice session with the team.