Ward sees Talk n Text, Ginebra in PBA finals

MANILA, Philippines - With 16 games left in the eliminations, Barangay Ginebra skills coach Joe Ward said the other day he expects the Kings to eventually advance to the PBA Philippine Cup finals against Talk ‘N’ Text in what would be an ultimate showdown of titans with sell-out crowds attending every game in the best-of-seven series.

Ward, 54, has been in Manila for over two months, contracted to work with Ginebra’s players on the recommendation of Los Angeles-based consultant Paul Howard. He operates a popular basketball academy in Mesa, Arizona, and is known as Toronto Raptors forward Leandro Barbosa’s personal skills coach.

“When I was invited to work with Ginebra, coach Paul told me I’d be involved with the PBA’s most popular team,” said Ward, no relation to a Joe Ward who once played for Ginebra as an import. “Now, I know why Ginebra is the most popular team. Whether we win or lose, the fans are with us all the way. They’re the greatest fans in the world. I always tell the players it’s not enough to play for the most popular team but they owe it to the fans to be the best team in the PBA.”

Ward said he foresees a bright future for Ginebra with the building blocks in place. “I think (Allein) Maliksi, Rico (Maierhofer) and J. C. (Intal) are Ginebra’s future. Maliksi and J. C. are capable of scoring 20 points each every game. That’s how explosive and talented they are. Rico is as athletic as both of them with length. He’s like K. G. (Canaleta) without a jumpshot. With a little more weight, Rico would be a power inside. I’ve told the young guys like Reil (Cervantes) and Rob (Labagala) their time will come, not to sulk because they’re not getting enough minutes. The team is in a process of transition.”

As for the veterans, Ward said coach Siot Tanquingcen is doing a good job of riding them through. “You can’t trade their experience,” he continued. “They know what it’s like to win, to get it done. We’ve got horses that don’t run as fast anymore but it doesn’t mean they’re on the way out. Take Jay-Jay (Helterbrand). At the start of the season, I think he didn’t know if he still felt like playing. He’s won championships, he’s been the MVP, but in his heart, he probably figured he’s not the same guy anymore and he’s not going to wait until it’s time to go. But lately, you can tell his heart’s back in the game. He’s scrambling on defense, he’s knocking down shots, he’s delivering the ball. Then there’s Mark (Caguioa). Coach Siot did right in starting him again. The veterans have earned their starts. It’s a matter of rotation. Another guy is Ronald (Tubid). In our last game against Alaska, he started and ended. He struggled on offense but did his job on defense. I told him I think he prays before taking a shot and that’s why there’s hesitation. He’s got to get back the confidence to catch and shoot. But if he isn’t doing a good job, he wouldn’t have started and ended the game.”

Ward said a lot of adjustments are still to be made for Ginebra to contend for the title. “J. C., for instance, has to know if he’s a three-point shooter, a slasher, whatever,” he said. “We’re hoping Maliksi and Rico will contribute if they get healthy quickly. The veterans should also realize what they need to develop late in their careers, usually, they become spot-up shooters. I think the veterans have some years left, they can still lead this team to the championship. But everyone’s got to be comfortable with their roles. It’s about watching each other’s back, playing as a team, and doing it on defense.”

Ward said he’s particularly close with Willy Wilson and Mike Cortez. “I hang out with those guys but I love everyone on the team,” he added. “Coach Siot is juggling his veterans and young guys. Rico (Villanueva) and Billy (Mamaril) help us in the middle with Eric (Menk) hopefully coming back for the playoffs. In the end, it’s defense that will make this team go. We get chances to score in the open court with good defense creating turnovers. That’s how we like to play.  We wouldn’t have beaten Alaska without good defense and I think Alaska is one of the toughest teams in the PBA. There’s no team in the league bringing out players from the bench with their size and their nucleus is tough. L. A. (Tenorio) would be playing in the US if he was only three inches taller.”

On the possibility of a Filipino playing in the NBA, Ward said the prototype player is Helterbrand. “I see a player like Jay-Jay making it to the NBA – smart, quick, a three-point shooter, can defend, can penetrate and dish,” he said. “Jay-Jay has good size for a point guard and he’d be a good NBA player. One guy who has a great upside is Japeth (Aguilar). The guy’s 6-9, athletic and skilled. There’s no one who can stop him if he gets his game together.”

Ward played at Southwest Missouri State and tried out with the Indiana Pacers as a two-guard when Vern Fleming ruled the backcourt in 1987. Then, he played as an import in Portugal and Spain. “I was playing until I was 41,” said Ward. “I was in the CBA (Continental Basketball Association) when Phil Jackson coached the Albany Patroons. I went on to become a skills coach. One of my clients, Barbosa, brings me to Brazil for eight weeks to prepare him for the NBA season and once, I worked briefly with Steve Nash. I also work with former PBA import Gabe Freeman who’s matured to become a great all-around player.”