By WAYLON GALVEZ

It’s going to be another long and hard battle for Barangay Ginebra in the coming PBA Fiesta Cup.

With another depleted lineup, coach Jong Uichico downplayed their chances in the tournament they won last year in a tense duel with Burger King (formerly Air21).

"Here we go again, we can never stay healthy," Uichico said yesterday as the Kings prepare for their title-retention bid in the import-flavored conference which starts on Saturday.

The Gin Kings will be without prolific Mark Caguioa who is still recuperating from tendonitis injury in the United States.

The 6-foot Caguioa, the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) in 2006-07 Philippine Cup and one of the versatile guards in the PBA, did not play in the previous conference and his absence badly hurt the team’s campaign.

Uichico is also uncertain as to when Caguioa will rejoin the team.

Also recovering from various injuries are one-time Most Valuable Player Eric Menk (foot) and Rafi Reavis (shoulder).

Forward Junthy Valenzuela, on the other hand, will be out for at least three months after undergoing a knee operation recently.

As what they are known for, the Gin Kings will again rely on their never-say-die attitude to overcome the odds.

"But of course, we’ll try (to defend the championship). That’s the goal of every team, win the championship," he added.

Another concern of the team is that they will two play consecutive games in three days in the opening week of the tournament.

On March 4, the Kings will face the Coca-Cola Tigers at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, before colliding with the Burger King Titans at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

Uichico also said that guard Jayjay Helterbrand, who won the BPC in this same conference last season, has arrived from his US vacation, while import Rod Nealy has joined the team practice session last Monday.

"They’re both in good shape," Uichico said. "Rod has improved, particularly his decision-making. When he played for us two seasons ago he was fresh from college, but he gained experience playing in other countries the past two years."

In his first year with the Kings, Nealy averaged a second best 31.9 points per game through 22 games despite shooting 39.1 percent from the 3-point territory. He also had 14.9 rebounds (also second-best), with 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals.

Nealy is coming off an impressive stint with the Albany Patroons of the US CBA, averaging 16.1 points with 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He helped the Patroons advance to the Finals against eventual champion Oklahoma Cavalry.

The Kings also got from a recent three-team trade youthful players JC Intal and Doug Kramer (from Air21), as well as Chico Lanete (from Purefoods).


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