SYDMAN RANKS THE TEAMS: UPSIDE-DOWNSIDE… ADDITION-SUBTRACTION PART 4

RANK NUMBER SIX: AIR 21 EXPRESS

UPSIDE:

Did I rate this too low? Was their Fiesta finish a fluke?

I can’t say the answers now but I am sure Steve Thomas was instrumental for bringing them to the big dance. Without Thomas, they face an urgent need to strengthen their frontline. The team though is intact, with only a few players coming in to their lineup. The Express secured themselves of a crack PG in Wynne Arbroleda (10.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.9apg, 1.6spg in 49 games) and with Gary David (15.8ppg, 2.3rpg in 33 games) back, offense should be the least of their problems. Arwind Santos (16.3ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 1.4bpg in 51 games) almost won the MVP race and his all-stat delivery would be instrumental for bringing the team to the top. Ranidel de Ocampo (12.4ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.6apg in 51 games), Homer Se (9.1ppg, 6.9rpg in 50 games), and KG Canaleta (10.3ppg, 3.2rpg in 50 games) will return to provide the team with their height and ability to outplay their opponents. Hopefully, their second-year guys would contribute to their system. Bo Perasol will be clinging to JC Intal (4.8ppg, 3.0rpg in 31 games), Doug Kramer (3.8ppg, 3.6rpg in 49 games), Marvin Cruz (3.6ppg, 1.2apg in 48 games), and new addition JR Quinahan (2.9ppg, 2.6rpg in 37 games) for bench support. Also, Egay Billones (5.2ppg, 1.3rpg in 34 games) and rookie Cholo Villanueva will deliver when asked.

DOWNSIDE:

The biggest problem they encountered in the Ginebra series was their consistency. There were moments that had Arboleda, de Ocampo, Se, or Canaleta stepped up, they could have been winners and not finalists. Their bench is also their weakness. Sure, they have a secure bunch in their starters but the winning margin gets depleted once Perasol resorts to his subs. The lack of off-season movement is another factor. While they solved taking out Mark Borboran to a more frontline-capable player in Quinahan, they would have to turn to a 6’5 Se, a pesky but foul-prone biggie to deliver the inside putbacks. Santos has proven he can match with the giants but the team needs a more Dwight Howard-type of frontliner than a Kevin Garnett-type of player. This means Quinahan must make a statement for Air21. JC Intal was a disappointment and unless he is given time to shine, their off-guard spot would look weak once David becomes hurt. Nino Canaleta is also a player that would shoot the lights out for Perasol but you have to wonder if it would go in or not. Unlike David, his shots aren’t that sure-ballish and that could spell doom for the Express come crunch time.

ADDITIONS: Cholo Villanueva (from 2008 Draft), JR Quinahan (from Alaska)

SUBTRACTIONS**: Ervin Sotto (to Alaska), Gabby Espinas (to Red Bull), Mark Borboran (traded for Quinahan).

PROJECTED TEN:
STARTERS: Arboleda and David at the guard spot, Santos and de Ocampo at the forward spot, and Se at the center spot.
KEY SUBS: Billones and Intal at the guard spot, Canaleta and Kramer at the forward spot, and Quinahan at the center spot.

REASON OF RANK:

It is that hard for a PBA team to forget the thirst they once had when they almost became champions? Sadly, yes. However, Air21 could prove me wrong. Like I said, Air21 depends solely on their starters, regardless of what rule they have in playing all their players. But when it comes to consistency, this is where the ranks fall on their becoming as mid-level contenders.

AND ARISE ALL HATERS!!!!!!

RANK NUMBER FIVE: BRGY. GINEBRA KINGS

** stats aren’t that right since the Game 6 stats wasn’t available in the PBA website.

UPSIDE:

To borrow a catchphrase from Noli Eala, no one does it better like the Gin Kings. The reigning Fiesta Cup champs proved that the energy the crowd gives them is greater than any other thing you give them. Somehow they find ways to bolster their chances to win crowns. Mark Caguioa (20.2ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.2apg in 38 games) is bar none the era’s Robert Jaworski. Last year however was Jayjay Helterbrand’s year. The spitfirish guard (18.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 6.5apg – assist leader – in 45 games) unloaded superb MVP-like stats throughout the season and was the only player to play consistently for Ginebra before the freak accident displaced him from playing games. The addition of Junthy Valenzuela (11.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.8apg in 54 games) was great, especially when they try to mix insane gung-ho-ness to poised set offense. Yes he had doubts whether Jong Uichico would be accepted by the Gin faithful but from his tutelage rose the improvements of Rafi Reavis (6.4ppg, 8.6rpg in 34 games), Alex Crisano (2.9ppg, 3.9rpg in 23 games), Chris Pacana (3.3ppg, 3.1rpg in 20 games), and Paul Artadi (6.1ppg, 2.7apg, 1.2spg in 48 games). While I still consider Billy Mamaril (the lack of “wow” factor – 5.6ppg, 4.0rpg in 48 games) and Sunday Salvacion (the lack of ample playing time – 6.7ppg, 3.7rpg in 43 games) miscasts alongside Ronald Tubid (11.7ppg, 4.3rpg in 37 games), Eric Menk (8.1ppg, 5.8rpg in 39 games), and the hordes of fans that the Ginebra team has spawned, expect great things from them this season.

DOWNSIDE:

There are some improperly used players and no, I am not talking about Macky Escalona here (not saying he’s bad… too much Jayjay and Paul could just ruin your playing time – 2.1ppg, 0.9apg in 20 games). Sunday Salvacion is a player that could start for other teams but he is benched. Same goes for Crisano, Artadi, and for now, Menk. This is one thing Uichico needs to check. He takes out players when they become hot which is one of Yeng Guiao’s basic no-no’s. Mike Holper (5.7ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0bpg in 9 games – all in the Philippine Cup) could have had a breakout season had not for the injury and the crowded rotation in the SG/SF spot. Another problem lies on the various injuries that haunted the Kings. Luckily Chris Alexander was a great import because that impressive winning streak could have never existed if the Kings played with a so-so import.

They won in an import-led conference. This is another reason why the Kings need to strengthen their frontline. Without a draft pick, the Gins settled for second generation forward Junjun Cabatu (2.3ppg, 2.0rpg in 20 games) as their newest pickup. While he played well in the preseason, the Kings hope he can get back his once blossoming career to the right track.

ADDITIONS: Junjun Cabatu (from Alaska)

SUBTRACTIONS**: Vic Pablo (retirement), Rodney Santos (possible retirement), Johnny Abarrientos (coaching staff).

PROJECTED TEN:
STARTERS: Helterbrand and Caguioa at the guard spot, Valenzuela and Menk at the forward spot, and Reavis at the center spot.
KEY SUBS: Artadi and Salvacion at the guard spot, Tubid and Mamaril at the forward spot, and Crisano at the center spot.

REASON OF RANK:

I hate ranking them low. But why am I doing this?

Tangina… its because I have to be rational.

Injury is their biggest mess. Helterbrand and Valenzuela were the biggest casualties in their championship drive. Fact is, Mark Caguioa, Rafi Reavis and Eric Menk played hurt throughout the series.

I would have wished these injuries would stop in time for their opening tip off. I doubt it though. With the preseason as indication, Ginebra has nothing clear to produce here. The best case scenario I could give here is a mere 5.

** some of the players did not play in the pre-season tourney. Either they have been released, injured, or will be picked up by other teams as free agents as the season progress.