| MagicMan13 | Date: Tuesday, 2011-01-04, 3:14 AM | Message # 1 |
 Generalissimo
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| No, it's not true that Manny Pacquiao, a one-man festival, has gone holidaying with his family in Japan to avoid being in the way of the PBA carnival, whose Philippine Cup semifinals resumes tomorrow.
Of course, Pacquiao showing up at the Araneta Coliseum when the PBA opens its 2011 season with a bang should send fans running to the pro league mecca in Cubao, refurbished rhythmically into a classy, cozy malling area.
The truth is that the PBA has gathered a great cast enough to ensure a suspenseful, significant theater for its first offering this year.
* * *
There’s no debating Barangay Ginebra, following a dramatic down-the-wire survival battle with Alaska, will again be the main draw.
While the Gin Kings sputtered along the rough, rutted road to the semifinals, they’ve succeeded in sending one clear message.
Ginebra has not really lost its never-say-die commitment to countless diehards.
Not only that. The Kings have also unraveled a potent weapon, the three-man backcourt combo of Mark Caguioa, Willie Miller and Mike Cortez that can spark wonders and make a world of difference in impossible, truly trying moments.
* * *
Adding spice to Ginebra’s clash with sister team San Miguel Beer is coach Ato Agustin.
The talented former San Miguel standout, says the PBA media bureau, is seeking a breakthrough PBA title as a full-time coach in his rookie conference.
Agustin, by the way, won’t be alone.
There’s also youthful Jorge Gallent, who will be matching coaching wits with the grizzled Chot Reyes in the Derby Ace-Talk ‘N Text half of the semifinals.
It will surely be a baptism of fire, says the PBA media mill, “but Gallent is raring to do battle, hopeful of keeping B-Meg Derby Ace on course for back-to-back Philippine Cup titles.”
* * *
It’s definitely hard to tell how close Gallent could come to a Cinderella finish.
Meanwhile, what has loomed is the promise of blazing rivalry that should be a touchstone to the real thing—the Philippine Cup Final.
Look, if Ginebra has the sparkling backcourt combo of Miller, Caguioa and Cortez, Derby Ace can’t be far behind, what with the Batman-Robin tandem of James Yap and Peter June Simon.
Then there’s Jimmy Alapag, the tiny phenom who can dominate doing it on his own for Talk ‘N Text.
* * *
OK, while betting in previous conferences had centered mainly on the ending digits of winning and losing teams, fans will be hard-pressed to pick the winning teams in the semifinals.
Will Pacquiao, himself a PBA follower, go for Ginebra?
We will never know until the Pacman returns and is asked about his preference.
Of course, the Pacman, while in Japan, could score big by taking a side trip to Sapporo, capital of winterland Hokkaido, for the divine sight and feel of holiday snow.
He and his kids could also take a bite of the world’s most wondrous white chocolates, found only in Hokkaido, coming in thin, magical wafers and tasting mildly of summer melon as they melt lovingly in the mouth.
All told, there will be endless speculations on how the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals would go.
The series, you bet, is much unlike the projected Pacquiao fight against the aging, faded Sugar Shane Mosley wherein the Filipino boxing superhero has been pegged an awesome 9-1 favorite. Recah Trinidad,
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