Inside Story: PF-BGK Preseason Game

As promised, I am giving you the inside story and some highlights of the just concluded tune-up match between the defending AFC champion Purefoods Chunkee Giants and the crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra Kings held last Saturday, September 2 at the SSCR 4th Centennial Gymnasium, Cavite City. Read on.

The Game

The game started about a few minutes after 4pm with the Giants parading James Yap, Jun Limpot, Kerby Raymundo, Roger Yap and Marc Pingris at the starting line-up. BGK on the other hand fielded in Mark Caguioa, Eric Menk, Romel Adducul, Jayjay Helterbrand and Sunday Salvacion.

It was a pretty close ballgame in the first quarter where the biggest lead by either team was between 3 or 4 points. Eric Menk started the scoring for the Gins while Kerby Raymundo converted the first basket for the Giants. The second quarter was pretty much the same but when Coach Ryan Gregorio inserted his second unit via platoon substitution, the Gins started to regain the momentum and ended the half with a 4-point deficit to the tune of 35-31.

In the third quarter, the lead blew up to 9-11 points courtesy of baskets from Caguioa, Menk and Salvacion. Personally, it was still a very manageable lead but Ginebra rode on the momentum and up the lead by as much as 18 points. Raymundo who didn’t want to lose the game via wide margin, played great until the later half of the quarter scoring a couple of baskets and some free throws which trimmed the lead to somewhat 10 points. The Giants had the chance to cut it down to 8 but they were not able to convert on a turnover point. The lead went back to 14 when the starters sat down.

Before the fourth quarter, I was expecting Coach Ryan to make some defensive adjustment as the Gins were threatening to blow the game wide open but I was a bit surprised when instead of utilizing his best five on the floor, he opted to let guys like Don Camaso, Arnold Gamboa, Ollan Omiping and Jenkins Mesina to play in the entire fourth quarter. As a result, the lead swelled by as much as 27 points. Caguioa and company completed the rout via final score of 70-95 to the delight of the Caviteño fans!

Taking things seriously

Who takes preseason games seriously? Ginebra does.

For my part, I was very impressed with how serious Ginebra was in last Saturday’s game. They brought their A-game and played as if they were in Araneta playing a semi-finals game. Coach Jong Uichico gave his key players extensive minutes and it appears to me that this early, he’s already trying to figure out the smartest way to maximize their advantage at the frontline. In fact, there were several instances were Raffy Reavis, Menk and Rudy Hatfield were used together to man the middle. As a result, Pingris, Yee and Gamboa found life difficult at the rebounding end.

Simply put, Ginebra is sending a message about how dead serious they are with their intention of regaining the AFC championship.

Nothing to worry about

Usually, preseason games are no bearing games at all. I don’t expect it to be as highly competitive as what real games should be. What at stake is not high enough to make players pus themselves to the limit except for rookies and free agents trying to make the cut.

I wouldn’t mind saying that the Giants did not play their usual game. Platoon substitution was nothing but unusual, really! I think they were pretty much relaxed and wasn’t giving their 100%. There's no need, really. Plus, you’ve got to remember that after winning the 2002 Governor’s Cup, the Hotdogs were hounded by injuries. Coach Ryan was just smart enough not to give his best players extensive minutes to avoid them from getting hurt or injured. Clearly, the coaching staff only intends to use this mini tourney as a venue to test their rookies and some free agents before they can sign them up.

Okay, they lost by 25 in front of a different crowd, dyahe. But you have to remember that it was the bench who played most of the game while Ginebra used their best men on the floor. More importantly, we lost to a better team. If it had been against an amateur or collegiate team, I would’ve have reacted on a different way. Now, I have so much fear and respect for the Gin Kings.

Making an impression

Now, let's look at the performances of some free agents.

Mesina and Omiping had a decent game. The latter is no longer new to me as he already played for the Giants in 2003. He was there driving in the lane and shooting some jump shots. I think Jenkins could play small forward. I don't know his height, though. Omiping, on the other hand showed that he can shoot jumpers and he has a quick pair of feet.

Chico Lanete, Gec Chia, Emerson Oreta and Don Dulay bannered the free agent list for BGK. Dulay proved to be a pass first kind of PG. I wasn’t impressed much but he was there setting up his teammates. Chia, on the other hand was, I think a good defensive guard as he just limited JY to 0 points in the 3rd quarter. Oreta looks very athletic but I think Mike Holper is a lot better. Chico Lanete was a deadshot. Between him and Dulay, he definitely has my vote. He’s a shoot first kind of PG, though.

The other free agents for the Giants were Chris Cantonjos (#36) and Toti Almeda (UP, #22) who both did not play.

Some sidelights

* Boyet Bautista was not around so I asked Coach Ronnie Magsanoc who was sitting in front of me: “Coach, asan po si Boyet?” He said, “sinong Boyet?” I replied, “Bautista po.” He snapped back, “Ah, may laro pa kasi sila [sa NCAA], eh.”

* Jondan Salvador was there wearing basketball shorts and a black shirt. He did not play.

* James Yap is already a superstar in the PBA! When he came in from the dugout, the crowd, esp. the women shrieked in delight. He acknowledged that by waiving his hand and saying, “thank you.” Before the game and during halftime, fans wanting to take his picture and authograph mobbed him. Whenever he went, there were people flashing their cameras.

* Cap Alvin looked very, very good. Super gwapo pa rin but humble as ever. Mobbed like JY, his fingers might be hurting already because he signed several autographs! (Just kidding!)

* Marc Pingris really has a nose for the ball. In one play, he sneaked in to get the rebound from a BGK player. That’s right after a fellow Giants missed a freethrow!

* The game barker was pretty out of focus. In one instance, Mesina approached the official table to sub. The barker announced: “Substitution. Jenskins Mesina for Jayjay Helterbrand!” The crowd roared in amusement. I thought there was a trade! In another instance, Richard Yee attempted a jumper from the corner. The ball went around the rim before it decides to curl off. The announcer who thought the shot came in said: “Richard Yee!” Again, the crowd roared and laughed altogether. Coach Koy who also sat in front of me said: “Wala sa focus ‘tong mga ‘to.” (I don’t know if he was referring to his players or to the barker.)
* The only dunk of the night came in from Reavis who dunked from the breake courtesy of, I think, Helterbrand pass.

* The H-bomb looks fit and ready to go to battle. In one play, a BGK shot went off so Menk and Hatfield both went up for the rebound. Menk looked like he had control but guess who got the ball? The Fireman!

* Speaking of Rudy, hope you'll love his new "do." He's bald!

* Who says Jayjay is injured? He was there running the floor. So did Adducul!