Young banners Alaska over former team SMB

Mark Caguioa is making great progress to rehab his injured knees that forced him out of the entire last conference.

Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, though, wouldn’t vouch for an early return for Caguioa, whose explosive offense was sorely missed by the Kings in the Philippine Cup.

“He said he is 80 percent healthy. But I’d prefer that he recovers completely before he comes home,” Uichico said.

The Ginebra coach gave no time table for Caguioa’s return but hinted if things continue to work well the Spark could possibly rejoin his teammates in the playoffs.

Of course, that’s if the defending champion Kings will be able to survive the inter-intra elimination round of the 2009 Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference.

Ginebra opens its campaign in the season-ending conference against the Coca-Cola Tigers at 7:30 Wednesday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

“It’s a tough conference ahead. It’s going to be a big adjustment for us with the way the games are played,” Uichico said.

Besides Caguioa, defensive guard Junthy Valenzuela may also miss the entire conference after undergoing surgery recently to repair a tear in his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

But there is also good news. Rafi Reavis, who played just five games in the Philippine Cup, has fully recovered from his foot injury and is set to make his return against the Tigers.

New acquisitions JC Intal, Dough Kramer and Chico Lanete are also expected to shore up Ginebra’s bench and cushion the impact of Caguioa’s and Valenzuela’s absence.

With the height ceiling for import pegged at 6-foot-6, the Kings opted to bring back Rod Nealy, who helped them reach the quarterfinals two years ago.

The Kings ruled the season-ending tournament last year with seven-footer Chris Alexander.

Uichico said their opening game against the Tigers is a good test to determine how well they could handle the competition and their ability to defend the championship.

“Coke is the team that is best adjusted to the style of games. So we’ll see if we could compete with them,” Uichico said.

The Tigers, who spoiled their playoff chances last season due to import woes, are pinning their hopes on the sweet-shooting J.J. Sullinger – at least for few games.

The 6-foot-4 Sullinger, who led Talk N Text to the 2007 Fiesta Conference Finals, is reportedly hooked with the Tigers only until original choice James Penny arrives.

Jaded observer believes the Tigers will have a good showing in the conference with Bo Perasol joining the staff of coach Kenneth Duremdes.

Also seeing action are the Alaska Aces and the San Miguel Beermen.

After their disappointing collapse in the Philippine Cup title series, coach Tim Cone claims the journey starts anew for him and his Aces.

The Alaska-SMB encounter is scheduled for 4:50 p.m.

“We couldn't ask for a tougher opening assignment than SMB, but we feel we're ready,” Cone said.

He added that Galen Young’s familiarity with San Miguel, the team he towed to the semifinals in his last PBA tour of duty, should make things easy for the Aces.

The Beermen will be reinforced by Nathan Carter, a first timer on local shores.

“Alaska is always tough to play against. They’re so disciplined both on offense and defense. So we have to really work hard and try to outhustle them,” said SMB coach Siot Tanquingcen. (DBC)


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