Purefoods casts giant shadow

By Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin
November 7, 2007

On paper during the pre-season, the Purefoods Giants would have failed a litmus test if taken along with powerhouse teams like Magnolia and Talk 'N Text.

But five games through the 2007 PBA-Smart Philippine Cup, the Giants have stomped over every conceivable obstacle that stood on their path, passing one acid test after another in making a franchise first since joining the league 19 years ago.

"I'm happy to be part of this team's best start," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio on the Giants' pristine 5-0 mark.

Purefoods' fifth win this conference came at the expense of defending champion Barangay Ginebra, 103-76 -- its most impressive so far.

Bucking rule changes patterned after international competition, the Giants have displayed character and chemistry as a team, making the necessary adjustments faster than any other ball club to suit the physical demands of the new brand of basketball played.

Compared with both star-studded Magnolia and Talk 'N Text, Purefoods has only two legitimate superstars in 2006 MVP James Yap and national player Kerby Raymundo.

The 6-foot-3 Yap is leading the team in scoring with 23.8 points per game this conference, while the 6-foot-6 Raymundo is backing him up with 15.2 points and 11.6 rebounds.

"It's so nice to have players like James and Kerby who are so mature in their understanding of what it takes to win," said Gregorio.

The Giants coach was mindful not to lavish less praise on the other key men on his team.

"We've had great help coming from our support crew," he said.
Romel Adducul is playing solid with his 8.4 points average through five games as Purefoods' starting center.

Providing help off the bench are shooting guard Peter June Simon (11.2 ppg), power forward Mark Pingris (8.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg) and rookie playmaker Chico Lanete (8.2ppg).

While other teams, including off-season favorites Talk 'N Text and Magnolia, are slow coming together as a unit, that hasn't been a problem for Purefoods.
The Giants' season started with a 96-86 win over Sta. Lucia Realty last Oct. 17.

Then, as if sending a strong message to the rest of the field, they cut down the Phone Pals, 112-97, in Dumaguete City, and followed it up with a dramatic win over the Beverage Masters, 93-90.

Prior to their victory opposite Ginebra, Purefoods put the scare on Welcoat Paints before pulling off an 87-77 win on Halloween Night.

The Giants are averaging 98.2 points in five games, while their second stringers have combined for 40.8 points. Defensively, they have held opponents to 85.8 points.
But even with his team's immaculate record, Gregorio knows keeping the blemish out won't be easy.

"We have to move forward. As I've said, we're not yet in the first half of the elimination. Things are just starting to heat up for other teams so we have to stay sharp," Gregorio said.

The former University of the Philippines playmaker, who was only in high school when Purefoods joined the PBA in 1988, pointed to surging Red Bull (3-1) as the conference 'darkhorse' saying: "They continue to defy the odds." Another team to watch is Alaska, which like Red Bull has won its last three games. The Aces carry a 3-2 card, the same record of the Phone Pals and Beverage Masters.

The current state of the Kings, who dropped their previous four games, is no indication that things will be gloomy for them this conference, according to Gregorio, with two players -- Mark Caguioa (shoulder) and Eric Menk (calf muscle) - still recovering from injuries.

"It is very hard to win without Caguioa and Menk," said Gregorio. "I am sure Ginebra would start winning as soon as the two players start playing."
The second round meeting between the Giants and the Kings -- with their two stars back -- should be the ultimate test for both teams.