A GLIMPSE of how their pre-conference moves would work out should be had Wednesday when NorthPort and Alaska tangle in a match kicking off the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Getting off on the right foot is a must for the Batang Pier and the Aces, who figured prominently in the wheelings and dealings which took place in the last couple of months in showcasing their determination to come up with much better performances than in the last Philippine Cup.
Gone from Alaska are team veteran Jayvee Casio and sophomore Barkley Ebona and in their stead is former Blackwater Mike Tolomia, who coach Jeff Cariaso hopes would shore up his backcourt more and thus help lift the team from an 11-th place finish in the season-opening tourney.
For its part, NorthPort pulled off perhaps one of the biggest coups last month when it got former MVP Arwind Santos from San Miguel Beer before capping its moves by acquiring Art dela Cruz from Barangay Ginebra.
In the process, the Batang Pier lost Sean Anthony and Sidney Onwubere, but coach Pido Jarencio believes he now has a more formidable frontcourt with Santos, Greg Slaughter and import Cameron Forte.
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"Mabigat na tatlo na iyon," quipped Jarencio, adding Santos' addition would allow him to let Kevin Ferrer and Jamie Malonzo to play their natural positions at the wings while having big men Troy Rike and Jeepy Faundo in reserve.
"Alam naman nating much improved 'yung lineup nila," said Cariaso. "Very strong, ang galing ng mga guards nila led by Bolick and then there's Greg, who I'm sure is ready to play."
Still, Cariaso believes his team is ready. "Everyone's healthy, we're excited and maganda naman preparation namin the last six weeks," he said.
The match actually starts a very hectic first week for Alaska, which duels SMB Friday before meeting Ginebra on Sunday, prompting Cariaso to believe his team's conditioning should come into play.
"Actually, doon ako very happy. Siyempre kailangang i-translate into game. Pero for me, going into this new conference, feeling ko eto 'yung baga best shape namin compared to the last two conferences," said Cariaso.
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"So I think, physically, mas fit ang mga players to play. For us malaking bagay iyon kasi siyempre kung wala ka sa kondisyon hindi mo magagawa gusto mo, eh," added Cariaso.
"We're hoping and praying na by us being in better shape mas magiging better 'yung outcome." (NC)
