TITLE-HUNGRY KINGS & TEXTERS CLASH IN INAUGURAL NIGHTCAP
How do you fill up a 55,000-seater arena?
Simple. Just bring in the legions of fans of the league’s most popular ballclub.
And how do you make those fans happy?
That is the tricky part.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel wants its throng to go home happy when it plays its season opener against Talk ‘N Text at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue Sunday, opening day of the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup.
Gametime is at 5:15 p.m.
The Kings are banking on a rebuffed and stacked lineup with the acquisition of Joseph Yeo and rookie Rodney Brondial.
Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio are still expected to lead the fight for coach Jeffrey Cariaso, and up front patrolling the lanes are2014 Rookie of the Year Greg Slaughter and dunking demon Japeth Aguilar.
As much as the pressure mounts on Ginebra to end a seven-year title drought, Cariaso kept his boys at bay, saying that they should focus on the little things first before they dream of the big ones.
“I think we’re starting to understand the little things, and as we continue to work hard and get better, hopefully, the wins would follow,” he said.
However, they will be hardpressed against a rebuilding TNT side which got a lot younger with rookies Kevin Alas and Matt Ganuelas Rosser.
Jay Washington also makes his return to the TNT camp, as he joins Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo in the formaidable Tropang Texters’ frontline.
An interesting subplot also will be TNT head coach Jong Uichico’s first game against Ginebra, a team he led to two championships. (RL)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
