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Post by RYTCHZ MAGIC on Oct 5, 2005 18:07:05 GMT 9
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Post by RYTCHZ MAGIC on Oct 5, 2005 18:08:33 GMT 9
CABAGNOT UNDER MISCROSCOPE AS REALTORS BATTLE ACES
Favis steers Tigers vs former team Kings Wednesday, 05 October 2005 He came, ran away, then came back again.
Now, the time has come for Alex Cabagnot to justify his place in the Philippine Basketball Association
The No.2 pick of the 2005 Draft is expected to draw a lot of attention as he makes his debut Wednesday for the Sta. Lucia Realtors, who welcomed him with open arms after an ugly incident that nearly ruined his PBA aspirations.
"I've apologized to my teammates. It was just a misunderstanding and it has all been settled now. I'm back to play for Sta. Lucia," said Cabagnot, who threatened to breach his contract with the Realtors claiming his agent forged a deal with Sta. Lucia without his consent.
His first official game in Asia's first play-for-pay league should be an acid test for the Hilo, Hawaii-based star largely because the Realtors will be up against the fully-loaded Alaska Aces, one of two teams picked by several quarters as a certified contender for the San Mig Coffee-PBA Fiesta Conference championship.
"I can say the team we have now is the deepest ever for Alaska," observed Aces coach Tim Cone, the league's second winningest coach. "We're not big, but the arrival of Tony de la Cruz, Rich Alvarez and Tee McClary will allow us to create mismatches."
In contrast, the Realtors are returning this season with practically the same aging-roster, but coach Al Chua swears the inclusion of Cabagnot, No.10 rookie pick Cesar Catli and free agent Adonis Sta. Maria provided the team with youth and some depth.
"Mas bumata kami ngayon and much more aggressive," said Chua of his current team. But he stressed there's still no substitute for hard work as far as winning is concerned. "That's the attitude we have with the team."
But going into the 7:25 p.m. encounter at the Araneta Coliseum, all eyes will be on Cabagnot, who will be pitting his skills against an equally wily Mike Cortez and fellow Hawaii-based Brandon Cablay.
Chua described his star rookie as a pure point guard who could well be the missing link in their rotation.
While there is no doubt that Sta. Lucia's local lineup could well challenge against any of the league's elite, jaded observers hinted that import Luke Whitehead is the big question mark.
A Sta. Lucia insider, however, said Whitehead can play the post well and has a soft touch from the perimeter. His true worth should be known when he plays against McClary, a veteran reinforcement and a certified scorer and rebounder.
The other game at 4:40 p.m. pitting the Coca-Cola Tigers against crowd darling Ginebra Kings is also highly-anticipated.
With a new coach at the helm, the Tigers are hoping to turn their fortunes for the better in the league's season opening conference after practically groping last season.
"We've made progress but not much like the other teams," said Binky Favis, who will make his debut as Coke's full-pledge coach against a team he had served as assistant coach the last two and a half years.
In a way, tonight's doubleheader marks the second encounter between the Tigers and the Kings in two weeks. The Tigers, who appeared to be a contender with a healthy Ali Peek, humbled the Kings, 84-79, in a thrilling pre-season game.
Apparently, that setback prompted the Kings to dispatch Hoff and replace him with Sean Lampley, a former Red Bull import who is coming off a stint with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.
Lampley's arrival might proved vital for Ginebra as well since the Kings will be playing without star center Eric Menk, who remains suspended until he completes the necessary citizenship documents. (DBC)
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Post by balong on Oct 27, 2005 9:27:42 GMT 9
unsa na may balita sa PBA
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Post by RYTCHZ MAGIC on Oct 27, 2005 11:19:44 GMT 9
Team / Win / Loss / Pct
Purefoods / 5 / 1 / 0.833 Talk N Text / 4 / 1 / 0.800 Red Bull / 3 / 2 / 0.600 Alaska / 3 / 2 / 0.600 Brgy. Ginebra / 3 / 3 / 0.500 Air21 / 2 / 3 / 0.400 Sta. Lucia / 2 / 3 / 0.400 Coca-Cola / 1 / 4 / 0.200 San Miguel / 0 /4 / 0.000
*standing as of 10/26/2005
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