Ni Ernest Hernandez
BUKOD sa matikas na import, ang laki at lakas ng malahiganteng sina Greg Slaughter at Japeth Aguilar ang bentahe ng Barangay Ginebra para maisakatuparan ang kampanya sa PBA Governor’s Cup.
“If we do win this tournament, it will be most probably because of our size,” sambit ni Cone.
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“If you look at San Miguel, they have size with June Mar. We are trying to take advantage of our size.”
Bunsod nang presensiya ng dalawang sentor, madaling nagagawa ni guards L.A. Tenorio at Scottie Thompson ang kanilang diskarte para mabigyan ng maayos na opensa sina Slaughter, Aguilar at maging si Joe Devance.
“I think Joe gives us a lot of versatility. It allows us to play big because he can swing back to the guard position and that doesn’t force Justin and he can stay where he is,” sambit ni Cone.
“Then, the versatility of Japeth defensively. He can go out and guard some wings, guard bigs and that allows us to play that big lineup.”
Hindi na bago kay Cone ang kinalalagyang sitwasyon, ngunit kakaiba ang kanyang pananaw sa taglay na lakas ng Ginebra.
“Honestly we use to do this with Purefoods as well with Ping and Joe. We used to play big lineups,” sambit ni Cone.
“Now we are playing with bigger line-ups because we have bigger guys. We have a system for it. We have a system of defense and we have a system of offense for it. We really look forward to playing those big lineups. It is a strength that we have that nobody has except for San Miguel with June Mar,” aniya.
Sa kasalukuyan, si Slaughter ang pinakamatas na player sa PBA sa tayong 7-feet, sapat para mas maging kumpiyansa sina Aguilar, Devance at maging ang import na si Justin Brownlee sa kanilang opensa.
“I’m comfortable playing inside and outside but with Greg and Japeth, I have to probably play inside but maybe more outside,” sambit ni Brownlee. “I hate to say that the game is easier but with Greg, he makes it easier for everybody.”
“Yung addition ni Greg, all of a sudden, we are the biggest lineupsa PBA. Like what Coach Tim said, may advantage at disadvantage din yun. Focus lang kami sa advantage naming,” pahayag naman ni Japeth Aguilar.
Iginiit naman ni Slaughter na ang ‘ceiling’ ang premyadong bentahe ng Kings, ngunit mawawalan ito ng saysay kung hindi magagamit sa tama, higit at malalakas ang karibal.
“This is far as basketball I’ve seen, size definitely has an impact in all levels,” sambikt ni Greg Slaughter.
“Our thing is just figuring out how to gel. We done this championship before I got here, now I came in, we are now bringing a new dimension in size. I think we can do it better. We just have to figure out every game how to get better and better.”
