Official Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel Thread

[Lebron23]

REIGNING CHAMPS REALTORS & KINGS COLLIDE

Purefoods takes on unpredictable Red Bull

Wednesday, 08 October 2008

Sta. Lucia Realty and Barangay Ginebra will be put to test early as the two teams that became the toast of the PBA last season make their debut in the 2008-09 KFC PBA Philippine Cup against each other Wednesday.

Pitting the two champions of last season apparently excites Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez, who views it as a perfect avenue to determine their readiness to compete and defend the title.

"This is a good test for us to know if our (little) adjustments and system is good and will be productive," said Fernandez, voted Coach of the Year by the PBA Press Corps for masterfully steering the Realtors to a 4-3 victory over the Purefoods TJ Giants in the Finals of this tournament last season.

With their success last season, both clubs opted not to alter their rosters. Rookie Kelvin Gregorio is the only new face in the Sta. Lucia lineup while free agent Jun-jun Cabatu was signed by the Kings, reigning Fiesta Conference champions, to augment their depleted unit.

An assortment of injuries to star guard Mark Caguioa (still in the US for rehab), Junthy Valenzuela, and Rafi Reavis worry Ginebra coach Jong Uichico, who can only hope that whatever is left of his bench will be able to rise to the challenge.

"We need a better start this conference than we did last season. That's our short- term goal," offered Uichico.

Ginebra's reported state of health didn't help to calm Fernandez, who dismissed suggestions that their 7:30 p.m. date with the Kings at the Araneta Coliseum would be a walk in the park.

"I'm excited to play Ginebra in our debut. This will be an interesting match-up between two champion teams. You don't let your guard down just because they tell you Ginebra has lots of injured players. That team has got a lot of talent, well coached and they enjoy tremendous crowd support. So we'll see what happens,” Fernandez said.

Purefoods and Red Bull also begin their campaign in the league's 34th season with Giants coach Ryan Gregorio having mixed emotions about playing the Barakos.

Except for Cyrus Baguio, Red Bull has been practically reduced to a team of role players after management decided to part ways with Mick Pennisi (the only remaining original member of the team that joined the league in 2000) who was traded to San Miguel. Also gone are back-up center Paolo Bugia and guards Topex Robinson and Kiko Adriano.

"We are practically starting over again. But what I've seen in practice and the pre-season games are encouraging. I think we can spring some surprises," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao.

But coming into their 5 p.m. encounter with the Giants, what Guiao will have in his disposal is a small team with 6-6 Carlo Sharma serving his one-game suspension in connection with his flagrant foul 2 that was committed during their battle for third place against San Miguel in last season's Fiesta Conference.

But even against a team that would not attract a second look, Gregorio wants his troops to give their best shot.

"The problem with Red Bull is that they are always unpredictable. We acknowledge that fact that we cannot take them lightly, even with the absence of big name players," Gregorio confessed.

The Purefoods coach said whichever side manages to control the tempo will have the edge.

"Allowing them (Barakos) to run and score on fastbreaks would be disastrous for u


Barangay Ginebra Kings Roster ( Thanks for the update Ankle Breaker)


Billy Mamaril 6'6" C 220 lbs Bakersfield
Rafi Reavis 6'8" C 210 lbs Coppin State
Macky Escalona 5'11" G 180 lbs AdMU
Ronald Tubid 6'1" G 175 lbs UE
Paul Artadi 5'9" G 150 lbs UE
Junthy Valenzuela 6'2" G 185 lbs SIT
Junjun Cabatu 6'3" F 215 lbs DLSU
Jayjay Helterbrand 5'11" G 170 lbs Kentucky State University
Chris Pacana 6'1" G 200 lbs St. Francis of Asisi College
Eric Menk 6'6" C 220 lbs Lake Superior State University
Alex Crisano 6'7" C 240 lbs Brooklyn
Mike Holper 6'7" C 210 lbs San Diego State
Mark Caguioa 6'1" G 185 lbs Glendale Community College
Sunday Salvacion 6'3" G 190 lbs CSB

[super_defender]

Billy Mamaril 6'6" C 220 lbs Bakersfield
Rafi Reavis 6'8" C 210 lbs Coppin State
Macky Escalona 5'11" G 180 lbs AdMU
Ronald Tubid 6'1" G 175 lbs UE
Paul Artadi 5'9" G 150 lbs UE
Junthy Valenzuela 6'2" G 185 lbs SIT
Junjun Cabatu 6'3" F 215 lbs DLSU
Jayjay Helterbrand 5'11" G 170 lbs Kentucky State University
Chris Pacana 6'1" G 200 lbs St. Francis of Asisi College
Eric Menk 6'6" C 220 lbs Lake Superior State University
Alex Crisano 6'7" C 240 lbs Brooklyn
Mike Holper 6'7" C 210 lbs San Diego State
Mark Caguioa 6'1" G 185 lbs Glendale Community College
Sunday Salvacion 6'3" G 190 lbs CSB

SIT???

[taninf]

SIT???

Salazar Institute of Technology? near Cebu Institute of technology? im not so sure...

[joesmoove059]

the gin kings will start the season without MC Menk and Mamaril. anyway I go for the Realtors! haha go SLR!!

[its_eman8211]

the gin kings will start the season without MC Menk and Mamaril. anyway I go for the Realtors! haha go SLR!!

it's not new anymore for BGK team, they always start the season with their key players injured.

[ankle breaker]

SIT???

yes bro, it's SIT. Salazar Institute of Technology. same school where jimwel torion played college hoops in cebu. they are team mates though. SIT is now known as SC-SIT. it's near CIT or Cebu Institute of Technology. they are separated by an unfinished building what was supposed to be a mall.

[amamangloy]

Ginebra won (come-from-behind win) without Caguioa, Mamaril, Reavis and Valenzuela... Paul Artadi had a sensational game with 18 points.

[Lebron23]

Kings hold off Realtors; Giants score

By Musong R. Castillo

MANILA, Philippines—Winning the season opener over the tournament’s defending champion meant little more than a morale booster for Barangay Ginebra.

“We’re not looking [beyond the win],” Ginebra coach Jong Uichico said Wednesday night, moments after the decimated Gin Kings completed a come-from-behind 89-86 victory over defending KFC Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“It’s important to win the first game because it gives your confidence and morale a boost,” added the multi-titled mentor, whose team won the Fiesta Cup at the expense of Air21 two months ago.

Jay-Jay Helterbrand knocked in 21 of his 26 markers in the final two quarters, and Paul Artadi was adjudged the Player of the Game after scattering a career-high 18 points to go with three assists and two steals as both guards led the Kings, who were without a lot of key players.

Ginebra played without big men Rafi Reavis and Billy Mamaril and top-tier guards Junthy Valenzuela and Mark Caguioa, who are all out because of various injuries.

The Realtors opened up with a 10-0 lead but couldn’t keep up with the Kings in the stretch.

Ryan Reyes had 17 points and Kelly Williams highlighted a 16-point night with four electrifying dunks for the Realtors.

In the first game, with James Yap hobbled by an old injury, Purefoods turned to Kerby Raymundo in the fourth quarter last night to scuttle a stubborn Red Bull crew, 77-73.

“The only thing predictable about Red Bull is its unpredictability; Red Bull is always tough to beat,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio. “They may have lost a lot of players, but as long as (Red Bull) coach Yeng (Guiao) is there, Red Bull will always contend.”

The Tender Juicy Giants trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half then played brilliantly when it mattered most as Raymundo outscored the entire Barako squad in the payoff frame.

“I think we also took it easy in the first half and almost paid the price for it,” said Gregorio. “The positive (thing) about this win is that James (Yap) had an off-night and we still found a way to win.”

The 6-foot-6 Raymundo scored 11 of his game-high 23 points in the fourth period to make up for the inability of the Giants’ other go-to-guy, Yap, to deliver at the crunch.

Raymundo also finished with 15 rebounds and three blocks to lead the Giants, who also got 18 points from Peter June Simon off the bench. Simon also helped rally Purefoods by shooting 13 in the third.

Bothered by a recurring right ankle sprain, Yap finished with just eight points on 2-of-17 shooting from the field. He missed all his seven attempts from the three-point area as the Giants trailed most of the way and looked ready to fall.

Red Bull, with national coach Yeng Guiao calling the shots, led 43-28 at the break, and was ahead 67-60 with 9:35 left in the fourth quarter before two long scoreless spells doomed the unpredictable Barako.

Purefoods first blanked Red Bull for nearly four minutes to creep within 64-67, before holding the Barako hitless again in a five-minute span for a 75-69 lead heading into the final 1:34.


The scores:


First Game

PUREFOODS 77—Raymundo 23, Simon 18, Villanueva 15, Yap R. 9, Yap J. 8, Bugia 2, Robinson 2, Belga 0, Alonzo 0, Lanete 0, Aban 0, Salvador 0.

RED BULL 73—Espinas 18, Baguio 10, Duncil 9, Najorda 9, Cruz 7, Rodriguez 6, Chan 5, Hubalde 5, Alvarez 4, Ybañez 0, Hrabak 0.

Quarters: 18-28, 28-43, 58-63, 77-73

Second Game

BARANGAY GINEBRA 89—Helterbrand 26, Artadi 18, Salvacion 14, Cabatu 8, Pacana 6, Holper 6, Menk 4, Tubid 3, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Aquino 0, Escalona 0.

STA. LUCIA 86—Reyes 17, Williams 16, Espino 16, Omolon 8, Coronel 6, Gonzales 6, Mendoza 5, Miranda 4, Yeo 3, Aquino 3, Daa 2, Gregorio 0.

Quarters: 21-25, 35-45, 65-66, 89-86

http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20081009-165411/Kings-hold-off-Realtors-Giants-score

[Lebron23]

Ginebra won (come-from-behind win) without Caguioa, Mamaril, Reavis and Valenzuela... Paul Artadi had a sensational game with 18 points.

And don't forget the best PG in the PBA Jayjay Helterbrand scoring a game high 26 points, and dishing out 3 assists as Ginebra defeated the defending All Filipino Cup Champion Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Mr. Fast really need to step up because Mark Caguioa is still in the USA recovering from his minor injury.

[Lebron23]

Ginebra defeated the Air 21 Express, 101-92. Excellent outside shooting from the Gin Kings.

Best Player of the Game

Junjun Cabatu, 23 points, 4/7 FG's, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.

[its_eman8211]

Ginebra defeated the Air 21 Express, 101-92. Excellent outside shooting from the Gin Kings.

Best Player of the Game

Junjun Cabatu, 23 points, 4/7 FG's.

This guy almost start the season with no team want to sign him.
Good thing that BGK sign this sweet shooting bigman.

[Lebron23]

INJURY-PLAGUED GINEBRA WINS AGAIN

Cabatu sparkles in a career game as Kings join early leaders

Monday, 13 October 2008

Junjun Cabatu came out of his shell and made his dad Sonny proud.

The young Cabatu dished out his best game as a pro Sunday night, and Barangay Ginebra continued to buck absence of key players, repulsing Air21, 101-92, in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Beating title holder Sta. Lucia Wednesday, Ginebra is now on an improbable run playing minus injury-stricken stalwarts Mark Caguioa, Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis and Eric Menk.


As if injuries to the four players were not enough, Alex Crisano was hit by a strained calf muscle early in the second half.

Cabatu, however, came to the Kings' rescue, putting in a career-high 23 points -- the bulk of which fueling a mighty charge carrying Ginebra to the win that tied them with Rain or Shine and Alaska Milk atop the field with identical 2-0 win-loss slates.

The Express suffered a third straight loss, remaining winless since beaten by the same team in the Fiesta Conference finals.

"I don't know how we did it. We're just finding ways how to win," said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

"Surely, Junjun had a big hand on this win. He's a good acquisition since he can shoot from inside and out," Uichico said of the 24-year-old three-year pro -- the first boy of Sonny Cabatu who himself had a stint with Ginebra.

The older Cabatu had a career-best 25 points although his biggest production in his first three years in the pros was only 21.


Junjun, a former La Salle Archer dumped by Alaska after the 2007-08 campaign, went 4-of-7 from the three-point area, 5-of-8 from the two-point land and 1-of-2 from the stripe while also coming through with six rebounds, five assists and two steals along the way.

He pumped in two of his triples in a lethal assault that had the Kings breaking loose from a 90-91 count in the last four minutes of play.

Junthy Valenzuela returned from a one-game layoff, contributing 14 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist.

Jayjay Helterbrand, Ronald Tubid and Paul Artadi had their own shining moments as Ginebra made a followup on their 89-86 decision over Sta. Lucia.

The Express dominated the game early on, taking a 46-41 halftime lead which they stretched to 62-54 on triples by Arwind Santos and Wynne Arboleda early in the third quarter.

Air21, however, faded out in the fourth as it did in its first two games.

Though playing off-the-bench, Santos paced the Express in the first half with 11 points on 5-of-9 field-goal shooting.

The Air21 starters of Gary David, JR Quinahan, Ranidel de Ocampo and Arboleda combined for 27 points as against the 25 of Helterbrand, Artadi, Crisano and Tubid as the Express took the upper hand at the turn.

The Express performed better in field-goal shooting and rebounding as they surged ahead at halftime after engaging the Gin Kings in seven deadlocks and six lead changes. (NC)


The scores


Ginebra 101 -- Cabatu 23, Helterbrand 21, Valenzuela 14, Tubid 13, Artadi 11, Wilson 6, Crisano 6, Pacana 4, Holper 2, Escalona 1, Salvacion 0.


Air21 92 -- Santos 19, De Ocampo 15, Arboleda 12, David 11, Se 10, Quinahan 8, Billones 7, Intal 4, Cruz 3, Canaleta 3, Kramer 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 41-46, 76-77, 101-92

http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2303/1/

[Lebron23]

This guy almost start the season with no team want to sign him.
Good thing that BGK sign this sweet shooting bigman.

Great pickup by the Management, and I hope that this year he will win the PBA Most Improved Player of the Year because Cabatu will get alot of playing time with the Gin Kings.

[Lebron23]

JUN-JUN CABATU: PLAYING OUT OF DAD’S SHADOWS

Player of the Week October 6 to 12


Tuesday, 14 October 2008




SANTIAGO “Junjun” Cabatu, Jr. is a chip off the old block.

This the 24-year-old forward proved by dishing out a career game last Sunday to help lift Barangay Ginebra over Air21 last Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup and prop the injury-plagued Kings’ surprising surge to a share of the lead.

The son of former 12-year pro “Sonny” also earned for himself the honors as the KFC/Accel PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for the period October 6-12, for good reason.

The younger Cabatu was directly hired by Welcoat in 2006 before being shipped to Alaska last season and then landed a spot at Barangay Ginebra only after passing a tryout conducted by head coach Jong Uichico.

“We decided on getting Junjun,” related Uichico. “We knew magiging malaking tulong siya because for a big guy he can shoot the ball really well.”

The 6-foot-4 Cabatu proved the trust on him was well-founded by scoring a career-high 23 points and leading the Kings over the Express, 101-92, and giving the perennial crowd-favorites a 2-0 win-loss record and a tie for the lead with Rain or Shine and Alaska.

That is already quite an achievement for the Kings since they first won over defending champion Sta. Lucia Realty, 89-86, Wednesday last week despite playing minus injury-stricken stalwarts Mark Caguioa, Billy Mamaril, Rafi Reavis and Junthy Valenzuela.

Valenzuela returned last Sunday, but it was Eric Menk’s turn to sit it out following a hamstring injury.

To make matters worse, Alex Crisano was hit by a strained calf muscle early in the second half against the Express.

Cabatu then took the time to unload his points that were anchored on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point area, 5-of-8 from two-point land and 1-of-2 from the stripe. He also came through with six rebounds, five assists and two steals along the way.

“He makes our offense look good because he can make the open shot,” said Uichico of Cabatu, who pumped in two of his triples in a lethal assault that had the Kings breaking loose from a 90-91 count in the last four minutes of play.

Junjun’s performance actually came just two days after his father celebrated his 48th birthday and was two point shy of equaling his Dad’s career-high in scoring in a 12-year career that included a stint with Ginebra from 1992 to 1995. (NCo)

[bognut]

i wonder why alaska gave up this dude...

not even a trade? they just let him go...