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Source: gmanews.tv
-- Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico believes the Kings are just bound to get better especially with their injured players expected to join the team in the playoffs of the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

The league’s crowd darling capped 2009 with a bang, turning back the Coca-Cola Tigers, 106-97, on Christmas Day at the Astrodome to remain on track of at least snaring an outright quarterfinals berth.

Following their win over the Tigers, the Kings improved to 9-6 overall to tie the Purefoods TJ Giants for fourth place going into the 10-day Holiday break of the league.

Action in the season-opening tournament resumes on Jan. 6.

Although the team still has a slim chance of gaining one of two outright semifinals slots, Uichico admitted the Kings’ fate is not entirely in their hands.

"We only have three games left (against Talk ‘N Text, league leader Alaska and Burger King)," he said. "These are three tough and got to win games. Our only chance in the semis, I think, is winning three straight and the league leaders losing all of their remaining games."


The Aces are currently on top of the standings with an 11-2 card while the San Miguel Beermen are not far behind at second place (12-3).

"If not (semis), hopefully, we get the outright quarters (berth) and hopefully, by that time, we have our injured players back in the line up," Uichico said.

Missed badly by the Kings are star players JayJay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa, and back-up guard Junthy Valenzuela.

Caguioa has only played for two games for the Kings this season owing to his injured knee, while current league most valuable player (MVP) Helterbrand (bruised knee) already sat all of the team’s last six games.

Valenzuela hasn’t suit up for the team since suffering a knee injury during the Finals of the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference.

Good thing in their absence, back up players such as JC Intal, Celino Cruz and veteran Johnny Abarrientos, had been ably holding the fort for the Kings.

"We must keep on improving, then hopefully, next year we can have our injured players back," Uichico said.

The Ginebra coach added the Kings are not going to risk fielding all the injured players back not until they are completely fit to play again.

"They are capable. The only problem is trying to get them in game shape. But everything is on the positive side. Until they are not at 100 percent we will not let them play," Uichico said.