Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio doesn’t agree with the notion his team is the strongest on paper in the upcoming Philippine Cup.
But rather believes the TJ Giants has become more balanced with the off-season trades the team underwent the previous months.
“We’re a more balanced team now, players knew their roles and we’re ready to compete this season," said Gregorio, who will face Yeng Guiao’s Burger King Whopper on Oct. 11 at the Big Dome.
Purefoods, which nearly made an overhaul in its roster during the off-season and beefed up its squad in almost all fronts, squares off with Burger King at 6:30 p.m. shortly after the traditional colorful opening rites to be highlighted by a tribute to the late PBA chairman Tony Chua of Barako Bull who was one of those who died during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.
With or without controversial top overall rookie Japeth Aguilar, Burger King will come out ready to compete against the big boys in the league, including Purefoods.
“We’re ok," said Whopper coach Yeng Guiao. “The players are blending well with the holdovers so I will see no problem for us competing with or without Japeth."
But Guiao has still made the 14th spot on his roster vacant just in case the troubled young cager agrees to terms with the Whopper management on or before Oct. 6.
The Giants will have three new faces on the squad – veteran Raffi Reavis, first-round draftee Rico Maierhofer and fellow newcomer Chris Timberlake. They also have two returning players in Marc Pingris and Paul Artadi.
The addition of these key players gives the Giants enough reason to think – and look – big this season.
For Burger King, the team has yet to solve its puzzle whether to start the season with or without its prized recruit – Aguilar.
The 6-foot-9, former Western Kentucky University player has yet to sign Burger King’s three-year, P8 million offer.
Whopper team manager and new PBA chairman Lito Alvarez gave Aguilar until Tuesday, Oct. 6, to sign the maximum offer for a rookie.
But even without Aguilar, Guiao has prepared the Whopper for the tougher encounters ahead against the big boys in the tournament.
Without Aguilar and Arwind Santos being shipped to San Miguel Beer, Burger King remains a tough team to crack with new recruits Ronjay Buenafe, rookies Ronnie Matias, Orlando Daroya and free agent guard Chico Lanete.
The team’s main men of course, are Gary David and Wynne Arboleda.
Should Aguilar joins the squad, the Whopper could certainly become a title threat.
Four more teams will see action in the next play date, Oct. 14, with Alaska battling Barako Bull and last conference’s finals protagonists – San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra meeting in the 7:30 p.m. main game.
A triple header is in store for basketball fans on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Astrodome with guest team Smart Gilas handled by Serbian coach Rajko Toroman making their debut in the pro league against Guiao’s Whopper at 2:30 p.m.
Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia clash in the 5 p.m. match while Talk ‘N Text begins its title retention bid against Rain or Shine in the main game at 7:30 p.m. – Source: GMANews.TV
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