Ginebra vs. TNT in PBA Fiesta Conference

Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text are all set to start their campaign on high note when they face each other in the opening Sunday of the 2010 Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings, winner of the conference two years ago, meet the Tropang Texters at 6:30 p.m. while newly refurbished Barako Bull collide against Sta. Lucia Realty at 4 p.m.

Commissioner Sonny Barrios admitted that the key in the season-ending conference are the imports, who will carry most of the load in their respective team’s quest for the crown, won by San Miguel Beer last year.

Except for Air21, which is eyeing tentatively on Keene Young, four new imports will display their wares while five old faces led by San Miguel’s Gabe Freeman will see action in the conference, which will be using the same format in the recently concluded Philippine Cup.

Besides the 6’6” Freeman, other old faces are James Penny for Coca-Cola, Jai Lewis for Rain or Shine, Anthony Johnson for the Realtors and Shawn Daniels for the Tropang Texters.

Seeing action for the first time are Diamon Simpson for Alaska, Awvee Story for Ginebra, Sammy Monroe for Barako Bull and Lorenzo Wade for Purefoods, which swept Alaska in the recent Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals.

“We are ready for the Fiesta Conference. We will have the required measurement of all new imports Tuesday afternoon. Only the new ones will undergo the measurement,” said Barrios during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s along UN Avenue.

Daniels has played for the Express since 2005, including a stint with Burger King last year where the team finished third. He averaged 20 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks with the Whoppers.

Barrios said that the top two teams at the end of the double-round robin eliminations would advance into the semifinals outrightly, while the next three teams enter the quarterfinal round. Only the 10th finisher bows out early as the No. 6, 7, 8 and 9th finishers battle in the wildcard phase.

Talk ‘N Text, which was marred by a controversial walk-out in the Philippine Cup, will immediately parade Daniels in the opening against newcomer Awvee Story of Ginebra. The 33-year-old Story is a former standout of the Arizona State University.

The comebacking Johnson, who carried the Realtors to the quarterfinals also last year will test the mettle of Barako Bull neophyte import Sammy Monroe.

Source: Frank Calapre  | The Manila Times