Ginebra Needs A Better Import

The game between Alaska and Ginebra was a nail-biter up until the last few minutes when Ginebra's import choked under the pressure. With the Commissioner's Cup parading imports like Shane Edwards, Arinze Onuaku, and Tyler Wilkerson, where the average height is about 6'8", I'm not sure why Coach Tim Cone opted to hire a 6'5" import like Jeffers. Perhaps he wants to develop an import that Ginebra can depend on like Shawn Chambers was dependable for Alaska. There was even a time when Alaska lost their import during the Commissioner's cup, and Coach Cone flew in Chambers to help them win both the Commissioner's cup and the Governor's cup that year, if memory serves correctly. But Jeffers hasn't proven that he can be depended on. Not yet.

Jefferson vs other imports is a big mismatch. Edwards shut him down in the last minute of play, preventing Ginebra from making any kind of comeback. If Coach Cone really wanted to go small, he should have hired a point guard because, in my opinion, that is what Ginebra really needs at this point. With three aging guards in Caguioa, Helterbrand, and Tenorio, it is a miracle Ginerba still has a Sol Mercado and a Scottie Thompson. But these two youngsters are not natural point guards. Ellis is a slasher. So Ginebra has no player who can be depended on for a three-point shot. Not that Coach Cone really believes in the three. But teams like Alaska, San Miguel, and Rain or Shine have been utilizing three-point players well and I think that is the reason why these teams have been successful. And even Barroca and Yap had the three at their disposal when Coach Cone was with the Star Hotshots.

And in a league dominated by Jun Mar Fajardo, I would have thought that all teams would have tried to get an import to match that bulk. Meralco probably has the best import to match and neutralize Fajardo. But with the Lebron James like import of Tyler Wilkerson, I have to say that San Miguel is probably favored to win this cup as long as their team doesn't suffer any injuries.

I guess the challenge of bringing a championship to a long-time rival is what is driving Coach Cone. So in the puzzle of matching Fajardo versus augmenting Ginebra's guard line up, perhaps Coach Cone made the right decision of getting a smaller import. I think a Mercado Thompson Aguilar Slaughter line up would be effective with an excellent guard as an import and with Ellis coming off as a sixth-man (or switch Ellis with Mercado). Thompson is part of this team's future. He should start developing a three in his arsenal. I believe Ginebra will get at least one Championship under Cone. But at this stage, it might still be a ways off. Perhaps they can trade for a better point guard next conference. Get Casio or Barroca, Cabagnot or even Ross if either of those guards are willing to go to Ginebra.