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Ryan
Gregorio, the eloquent Purefoods Tender Juicy mentor,
insisted that his team is hungry for another crown, even
though it’s just two years ago when the Giants took a
Philippine Cup title.
Coach Boyet Fernandez, Sta. Lucia Realty’s
newest hot property, was saying the same
thing—naturally—because the Realtors last hoisted a
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) title way back
in 2001 Governor’s Cup, beating San Miguel Beer in six
games.
Hunger
could be the only common factor for both teams, as their
quest for the PBA 2008 Philippine Cup title starts
Friday at the Araneta Coliseum
 “They
say Sta. Lucia is hungrier in the series because it’s
been seven years since [it] won a crown. But for us, we
treat each championship series like taking a daily meal.
We’re always hungry for every meal we take,” said
Gregorio yesterday in the press launch of the Philippine
Cup finals at the Harbour View Restaurant in Manila.
Easily,
Gregorio and the Giants have the advantage over the
Realtors with their championship experience and a
formidable 1-2 scoring punch in James Yap and Kerby
Raymundo.
Fernandez said his team is unfazed, adding he has full
confidence in his Realtors, who, except for Marlou
Aquino, Dennis Espino and Paolo Mendoza, are playing
mostly in their first finals stint in the league.
“Our
major adjustment will be on the top two offensive guys
of Purefoods [Yap and Raymundo],” said Fernandez, who is
appearing in his first finals, coincidentally against
his former team.
“But we
don’t underestimate their other guys. Their bench
players are also playing well and my bench should be up
to that challenge. As long as we play defense, we’ll be
in the series,” Fernandez added.
The
best-of-seven duel is a fitting finale for both teams as
the Giants and the Realtors ended up 1-2 in the
double-round eliminations. Curiously, they also started
the 2007-2008 season marred by hard fouls and physical
plays that resulted in the ejection of Purefoods’ Peter
June Simon and Sta. Lucia’s Norman Gonzales.
The
physicality could be a preview of what the fans can
expect in the titular showdown that made Gregorio to
seek an audience with PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios
today and ask to clarify what kind of officiating will
be expected.
“It will
be beneficial if we know what will be allowed on certain
things. They are saying that this could be a tough and
dirty series. Mas maganda if we could know
kung ano ang puwede at hindi puwede itawag,” said
Gregorio.
Barrios,
for his part, said that the PBA is trying their best to
have better officiating in the series.
This is
the first time that the Giants and the Realtors face off
in the finals. Purefoods, entering in its 12th
All-Filipino finals appearance and eyeing a fifth All-Pinoy
title, swept Sta. Lucia in the elimination but Fernandez
said the best-of-seven duel is a different story.
Also in
the press conference were James Yap, Roger Yap, Raymundo,
Marc Pingris and Romel Adducul for the Giants, while the
whole Realtors were there with only top rookie Ryan
Reyes, Kelly Williams, Espino, Aquino, Mendoza and
Nelbert Omolon who joined Fernandez in the event.
Purefoods and Sta. Lucia beat Red Bull and Alaska,
respectively, in the semifinals that both went to full
route. |
