Guiao not taking chances vs Ginebra

07/20/2008

Barangay Ginebra seems to have everything going for its side, that even Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao is wary of his Bulls’ chances in their semifinal clash in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference.

Guiao and his Bulls after all have been on the sideline for a couple of weeks now — the price for being an outright semifinalists — and had easy time to watch the Kings gallop like they never did before to become semifinalists as well.

“Barangay Ginebra has become a different team now,” said Guiao in telephone conversation yesterday. Kahit tinalo namin sila ng dalawang beses sa eliminations, Ginebra has become a better team now. That’s because of Junthy (Valenzuela).”

The Kings went unbeaten in their last eight games starting off late in the elimination, capped by back-to-back wins in the quarterfinals over Sta. Lucia Realty, a streak which is the longest this conference.

That probably primed the Kings when they return to the hardcourt at the start of the best-of-seven semifinal series opposite the Bulls. The two teams clash in the second game at 6:50 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome after the opener of the other half of the semis featuring Air21 and Magnolia at 4:30 p.m.

This marked the first time that Guiao talked much — not about his Bulls — but the Kings, who, he said, have stabilized their potent offensive anchored on two explosive shooters in Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand with the addition of Valenzuela in the team.

“Nagkaroon sila (Kings) ng ability, mas tumatag ang offensive play nila dahil na stabilize ni Junthy. Alam ni Junthy ang role niya sa team at na upstage niya sina Helterbrand and Caguioa. Alam niya pakitunguhan yung dalawa,” Giuao noted..

“Out of control ang Ginebra pag dating sa offense nila. Masyadong potent ang offense nila. A 30-points plus kay Caguioa, 20 points plus kay Helterbrand are not farfetched. Tapos may Junthy pa sila,” he said.

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