Off To A Great Start

Three games done and Ginebra is still unbeaten. After dominating the Mixers and the Elasto Painters, Ginebra had a huge scare before vintage Caguioa delivered at crunch time against the rookies of Global Port to go 3-0.

It has been the strongest start of Ginebra in years. I have been used to seeing them drop one game after the other in the early goings of a conference before coming back strong in the homestretch. Certainly a good sign for the team aching to end their six-year title drought. 

Getting Japeth in a trade last year was the start of it all. Drafting Slaughter was the second step. Now Ginebra has a potent Twin Tower combination similar to the Aquino-Feihl tandem of the 90's. The only difference is that Greg and Japeth are more mobile than Marlou and EJ. 

With two big men manning the middle, the likes of LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa, Chris Ellis,and Jayjay Helterbrand is now more confident to take outside shots or drive to the lane knowing that there will be someone who will pick up the rebound. 

So far so good as far as Slaughter is concerned. Contrary to criticisms that he is slow and will not thrive in the run and gun offense of Ginebra, the 7-foot former Blue Eagle has wrecked havoc on both offense and defense. Three games in he has churned in double-double games game in and game out. In three games, he has averaged 15 points, 13 rebounds,and 2 blocks per outing. 

Japeth has also delivered consistent numbers for the Kings. He has shined both offensively and defensively. He is truly comfortable playing the power forward spot. Mark and LA has delivered their usual numbers. There are other guys who will provide the points whenever they are fielded in. 

Fans are looking up in the standings for a change after the first three games. Hoping that this is finally the year when the Kings finally reclaim their throne. 

Pinning Their Hopes On Greg

Fans expectation went sky high during draft day when Barangay Ginebra drafted 7 foot Gilas stalwart Greg Slaughter. For years, the man in the middle has been the problem of Ginebra ever since the departure of Eric Menk and Marlou Aquino. Since then, there had been a huge gaping hole in Ginebra's interior defense. Without a legitimate center, opponents have made mince meat of their defense. 

Ginebra had made moves to fill up that hole in the middle. Last year, they took in the likes of Yousef Taha and Kerby Raymundo. Due to lack of playing time, Taha did not fulfill that requirement and was traded for Japeth Aguilar. At 6'9", it seems that he would finally be the one to fill up that requirement. But he was injured and Ginebra was not able to make it to the later rounds. 

Coming in to Draft Day, fans became excited on the prospect of having a 7 footer playing for their beloved team. First of all, a 7 footer comes once in a blue moon. The last time Ginebra had one was during the 90's with EJ Feihl. Also, Slaughter had good credentials prior to his awaited entry into the pro leagues. A champion player in college and in the D-League, it seems that Greg would finally be the so-called "savior" for Ginebra. 

And so it happened. The 7-foot Gilas player is now officially a ka-Barangay. With his entry, Ginebra's throngs of die hard fans finally have a reason to hope that the team's title drought would finally be quenched. Marlou Aquino gave Ginebra a championship and won Rookie of the Year. Eric Menk gave the barangay a championship and became MVP. Will Slaughter follow suit and end Ginebra's six year title drought? Fans are hoping that he would.