Coaches agree Kings solid pick

Barangay Ginebra is the solid favorite with Purefoods and Red Bull tipped to have another fine season and San Miguel Beer, Talk n Text and Alaska Milk likely to do better than their previous campaigns.

This is the consensus among coaches after their respective preparations for the 32nd PBA season which fires off tomorrow with an official overseas game in Guam pitting Red Bull and Alaska Milk.

The coaches said the Kings have become more formidable following a massive overhaul, the Giants and the Bulls could look to their successful runs last year while the Beermen, the Pals and the Aces remain teams to reckon with.

Practically all mentors ranked Ginebra on top of their list.

But during the media launch at the Manila Hotel Monday, PBA board representatives stressed that a team strong on paper is no cinch to win a championship.

"You can never tell. Look at Purefoods. They were not rated but they won the title last year," said PBA board chair Ricky Vargas.

To Coach of the Year winner Ryan Gregorio, Ginebra has the most impressive lineup followed by Alaska, San Miguel and Talk n Text.

San Miguel coach Chot Reyes, on the other hand, said Ginebra and Talk n Text are the teams to beat because of their talent along with Red Bull and Purefoods because they’re the finalists in the last conference.

For Yeng Guiao, whose Bulls figured in the finals of both tournaments last year, it’s Ginebra, San Miguel, Purefoods and Talk n Text.

"San Miguel has a new coach and solid lineup. Purefoods has the momentum being the defending champion. Talk n Text should play better given the time to jell in the off-season. Ginebra, it’s obvious," said Guiao.

Jong Uichico, who’s now calling the shots for Ginebra, points to Talk n Text, Alaska and San Miguel as the teams to beat.

"We really have a good lineup but it’s no guarantee to a championship. Chemistry on the court will be key to victory," said Ginebra team manager Allan Caidic.

Air21’s Bo Perasol picked Ginebra for its size and depth, and Purefoods and Red Bull for being the top performers last season. "Of course, I can never discount San Miguel, Talk n Text and Alaska. It will be a tightly-contested conference," Perasol added.

Sta. Lucia’s Alfrancis Chua also mentioned the six teams.

Talk n Text’s Derrick Pumaren has Purefoods, Red Bull, Ginebra and San Miguel as his top choices while Coca-Cola’s Binky Favis has Ginebra, San Miguel and Purefoods.

"Purefoods and Red Bull were the most dominant teams last conference keeping an intact lineup. Ginebra has probably the biggest front line in the league with Rafi Reavis, Billy Mamaril, Rudy Hatfield, Eric Menk, Andy Seigle, Romel Adducul, and Mike Holper. That’s big," said Pumaren.

"With Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle, Dorian Peña, Dondon Hontiveros and Olsen Racela playing together for a long time and the team’s experience, San Miguel will still be tough nut to crack," Pumaren added.

Favis said Ginebra, San Miguel and Purefoods are teams well coached and have strong lineups with championship experience.

Percentage-wise, Purefoods was the best performer last season, compiling 36 wins against 21 losses for 63 percent. Next was Red Bull with a 38-29 win-loss mark then Alaska and Ginebra with identical 25-24 cards, Air21 26-26, San Miguel 22-23, Talk n Text 18-23, Coca-Cola 16-23 and Sta. Lucia 12-25.