Hatfield predicts another Kings conquest

Rudy Hatfield is predicting a "Year of the King" in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) even without Barangay Ginebra's potent "The Fast and the Furious" backcourt tandem. "I keep on hearing that Ginebra is not among the favorites this conference because 'The Fast and the Furious' are out. I don't get it man," said Hatfield, referring to the Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand tandem, in a press statement sent by the league Tuesday to media organizations. "Well, this season will be remembered as the Year of the Kings, because we're gonna win the championship and complete a sweep," Hatfield added referring this time to the current Talk N Text Fiesta Conference. Many were unsure that the Gin Kings can win the conference because Caguiao and Helterbrand were commissioned by the PBA to be part of the RP team which are now training for the FIBA-Asia Championship. "I mean, Mark and Jayjay might not be around, but Rudy Hatfield is here. The 'H-Bomb', no less. I guarantee our fans that I'll carry this team to the Finals," Hatfield stressed. "I told you it will be done." The Kings stumbled at the start of the conference but has lived up to expectations after a 98-100 defeat at the hands of the Alaska Aces in their first game in the conference. Barangay Ginebra has posted four straight victories after that, the last of which is a 102-84 triumph over sister-team San Miguel Beermen Sunday night. Making up for the absence of Caguiao and Helterbrand were reinforcer Rod Nealy, who scored a double-double output against the Beermen with his 43 points and 17 rebounds while Hatfield posted his own double-double performance with 22 marks and 11 caroms. It was the Gin Kings fifth straight win against the Beermen dating back to the Philippine Cup Finals. The Gin Kings went up from opening game losers to a tie for second place with Alaska and Red Bull at 4-1. They are just one game short of league-leader Air21 (4-0). Hatfield attributed his team's surge, according to the press release, to a well-developed core that include Eric Menk, who agrees with Hatfield that the Gin Kings could sweep the season. "I agree with Rudy. I think we still do have a solid core that can get the job done. As a team, we're still very competitive," the league quoting Menk. Then there is veteran spitfire Johnny Abarrientos who is doing a good job at no. 1 position, making up for the absence of Caguioa and Helterbrand. The core is well supported by role players Sunday Salvacion, Ronald Tubid, Mark Macapagal and Billy Mamaril. "As a team solid pa rin kami, so I'm sure kaya pa naming lumaban sa championship," Abarrientos, playing in his 14th season in the league, added. "Me asim pa naman tayo. Kaya pa nating lumusot, magpasa at umiskor. Feeling ko parang Grandslam year ulit," Abarrientos said. - GMANews.TV