PBA: Sliding Ginebra Gin Kings plan to tinker with lineup
PBA IMAGE/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Hounded by inconsistency, Barangay Ginebra is entertaining thoughts of tweaking its roster.
Ginebra co-head coach Jong Uichico believes that adjustments in the lineup should be made to keep the competitive fire of the Gin Kings in the coming battles ahead.
“It might be a good time to start rebuilding,” said Uichico. “The veterans could still be relied upon but we have to find players who will take their place eventually once they retire.”
Ginebra dropped its last two games in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, the last one an 86-71 blowout at the hands of Talk ‘N Text.
Prior to the twin setbacks, the most adored ballclub in the league barely escaped past Shopinas.com and Powerade after pulling off come-from-behind wins in the nick of time.
“They’re (the veterans) still dependable. But we don’t want to come to a point when they announce their retirement all at the same time,” Uichico told the Inquirer.
The Gin Kings, who remained at the bottom half of the standings with three wins against four losses, have superstar Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, Enrico Villanueva, Yancy De Ocampo, Ronald Tubid, Niño Canaleta, Willy Wilson and Mike Cortez in the lineup.
Their recent failures have turned to frustration when Caguioa spoke his mind on radio Monday.
“How can I help them when I’m sitting on the bench,” said Caguioa in an interview with Sports Radio 918.
“Me and Jayjay playing together was successful in our past two wins, why change it? The rotation has become a chess match,” added the Ginebra superstar, who played just 12 and 19 minutes in their setbacks against Meralco and TNT.
Uichico said the two victories Caguioa was referring to were by luck. The Gin Kings were down by five with 34 seconds to go against the Clickers and by seven opposite the Tigers with a minute left before pulling it off.
Meanwhile, the PBA board will deliberate on the P150-million marketing proposal of TV5 Tuesday and the performance of the pro league as far as gate receipts and TV ratings are concerned.
