By WAYLON GALVEZ
Manila Bulletin
League-leader Alaska and Fiesta Cup champion Barangay Ginebra try to keep their unbeaten slates intact when they battle separate opponents today in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Alaska, currently on top with a 3-0 win-loss record, takes on the up-and-coming Rain or Shine (2-1) at 4 p.m. while Ginebra, at solo second with a 2-0 card, meets winless but dangerous Red Bull (0-3) at 6:30.
Despite the absence of key players including Mark Caguioa, the team’s top scorer last season, the Gin Kings have managed to score impressive wins, beating Philippine Cup champion Sta. Lucia Realty, 89-82, and Air21, 101-92, in their first two outings.
Against Sta. Lucia, the backcourt tandem of Fiesta Cup Best Player of the Conference Jayjay Helterbrand (26 points) and Paul Artadi, (career-tying 18 points) provided the spark for Ginebra.
Against the Express, the same squad they beat for the Fiesta Cup in seven games, new recruit Junjun Cabatu delivered a career-high 23 points.
Ginebra needs this kind of solid games, with Caguioa (tendonitis) and forward Rafi Reavis (shoulder) still recovering from injuries in the USA.
"We have to keep finding ways to keep winning while some of our key players are out with injuries," Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico said. "It’s good that we have players who can really step up."
The Kings, however, are up against the Bulls eager to nail their first win this season after stumbling three straight times.
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Topic: Alaska and Genebra Unbeaten in PBA Cup (Read 957 times)