KINGS TRY TRIANGLE AGAINST BATANG PIER
Another conference, another coach, another coaching strategy.
Obviously, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel management is looking for a new life and a new hope for the Kings.
After a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Commissioner’s Cup, Ginebra plays its first game under coach Jeff Cariaso versus GlobalPort in Day Two of the PBA PLDT Home Telpad Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday.
The big question is how do the Kings respond to Cariaso and to the triangle offense that he has introduced to the team known for a simple rah-rah-rah game.
But Cariaso is hopeful with the Kings and import Zaccheus Mason.
Cariaso believes Ginebra has players who will fit into the system used by coach Tim Cone to win championships with Alaska and San Mig Super Coffee.
Cariaso isn’t expecting instant success, though.
“I’m really happy with their effort (in practice). I told them our triangle won’t really feel good, and at times it won’t look good,” said Cariaso. “But I told them to just stay with it (triangle), be patient with it because once they get more familiar, it will be more comfortable.”
Cariaso has high hopes on their import.
“He’s a high-energy guy, a guy who’ll be everywhere. His activity level is very high. A guy who won’t demand the ball but when we need him, he can,” said Cariaso in describing the former University of Tennessee-Chattanooga standout.
In his PBA debut, Mason will be up against PBA returnee Leroy Hickerson.
The former Air21 and Barako Bull import, a product of Cumberland U, has a job cut out for him as he brings his act over to the team that barely avoided a 0-9 showing in the last conference.
But coach Pido Jarencio expects his team to make some improvement.
“Little by little, we’re getting there. Dadating din na makaka-compete kami,” said Jarencio.
He hopes his team does that against Ginebra. (SB)
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