Chua downplays Kings chances in Commish Cup

Chua downplays Kings chances in Commish Cup

CROWD-FAVORITE Ginebra may be among those likely to be tapped as top contenders in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup but coach Alfrancis Chua prefers otherwise.


“Mas maganda kung under the radar lang and then bigla ka na lang may mabubulaga. Ang ganda ng feeling nu’n,” Chua said in a phone interview yesterday.

Aside from the good vibes a fruitful ambush may bring, there are other reasons why Chua wants to manage expectations for the country’s most popular ballclub.

Chua served as consultant to former Kings head coach Siot Tanquingcen last season and was tapped to take over only last month. This marks the first time he will be back at the helm after an almost six-year absence.

And then there’s the matter of Herbert Hill, the team’s reinforcement.

Based on past tune-up games, the former Providence standout and NBA second round draftee is a decent scorer and able rebounder but still far from the ideal game-shape he and Chua want.

“He’s putting in extra hours of practice,” Chua related. “Nagkakaroon na ng legs, pero stamina talagang kulang pa.”

There is another positive side to the 28-year-old listed at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds. “He’s got a very good attitude and gets along well with our locals,” said Chua.

The same could be said of Mark Baracael, who was acquired from Alaska in exchange for Allein Maliksi in a trade consummated last Jan. 22.

Other trade rumors remain, but Chua is not one to dwell on those too much. “I’ll work with whatever materials na nandiyan,” he stated. “In the end, ang fate ng team hindi lang sa coach dependent. Part nu’n sa players din. Kaya titingnan natin kung ano ang ibibigay ng mga players ko.”

So far, the Kings have been giving Chua enough reason to hope. “So far so good,” he said.

“Everybody’s reacting well to our practices, especially the veterans. Sila Mark (Caguioa), Jayjay (Helterbrand), Rudy Hatfield, they’re all pumped up.”

Ginebra starts its campaign against Air21 on Sunday.

Source: Malaya.com

“Mas maganda kung under the radar lang and then bigla ka na lang may mabubulaga. Ang ganda ng feeling nu’n,” Chua said in a phone interview yesterday.

may point naman si Coach Al, maganda nga yung hindi overhype ang team ngayon pero sana mabulaga mo talaga kame coach Al ha