JUST one-half of Barangay Ginebra’s dreaded backcourt duo is enough to give the opposition fits.

This was borne out by Jayjay Helterbrand, whose consistent sterling plays despite have given the crowd favorite Kings ample boost to buck the absence of Mark Caguioa and continue their resurgence in the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.

Along the way, Helterbrand also earned for himself the Smart/Accel- PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week citation for the period June 2 to 8.

There was sufficient basis for Helterbrand being chosen over the likes of Alaska’s Willie Miller, Red Bull’s Cyrus Baguio and Coca-Cola’s Alex Cabagnot.

In Ginebra’s 112-104 win over Sta. Lucia Realty on Wednesday, Helterbrand scattered a personal conference-high of 31 points and also had nine rebounds, four assists and a steal.

With Chris Alexander and Ronald Tubid also coming up with big games, the Kings had a relatively easy time posting their fourth win in their last five games and improving their overall win-loss record to 5-8.

That despite Caguioa sitting out their last two games due to tendonitis on his right knee. Ginebra coach Jong Uichico leads those who are taking full notice of what his ace point guard, also nicknamed “The Fast,” has been doing all over the court.

“He has been producing consistent numbers for us, including assists,” noted Uichico. “What’s not in the stats is,” Uichico added, “he works on his defensive mindset every game, which makes him a better player.”

Caguioa is set to be back soon, perhaps as early as tomorrow, when Ginebra takes on Purefoods.

Then the Kings’ “The Fast and The Furious” combination will once again be whole and the rest of the field, as well as their legions of fans, know what that means.

Strongest Rafa ever

PARIS—Early in the second set of the French Open final, not quite halfway into what would wind up as Roger Federer’s worst loss in 173 career Grand Slam matches, he watched intently as Rafael Nadal pushed a forehand wide to end a lengthy exchange.

What injury? Pierce carries Celtics past Lakers in Game 2

BOSTON—This time, Paul Pierce picked up his teammates.

One game after being carried off the floor following a scary—but ultimately insignificant—knee injury, the Celtics forward scored 28 points to help Boston beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-102, and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven National Basketball Association (NBA) finals.

ARTEMIO Murakami is eagerly excited about his stint in the US Open.

What’s even more motivating for his homecoming to host venue Torrey Pines in San Diego—site of several junior tournaments which he joined in the past—is the fact that he’ll be actually playing in the prestigious tournament.

Manny Pacquiao has been experiencing cough and colds days after his latest promotional tour in San Francisco, California.

This was revealed by the boxing champ himself during an overseas call by the BusinessMirror moments before he hit the sack Sunday night at his posh Palazzo apartment in Park La Brea in Los Angeles.

MAPUA, the host of the coming National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) season, will ride a theme bordering on the principles of the discipline it is known for during the league’s opening ceremonies for its 84th season on June 28 at the Araneta Coliseum.

JUST one-half of Barangay Ginebra’s dreaded backcourt duo is enough to give the opposition fits.

This was borne out by Jayjay Helterbrand, whose consistent sterling plays despite have given the crowd favorite Kings ample boost to buck the absence of Mark Caguioa and continue their resurgence in the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference.

GOLD COAST—I have been here since Friday and had just caught up the last few hours of the successful four-day Magic Millions broodmare sales at its huge complex here.