2014-15 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Primer

2013-14 Standings:

Players Lost: Bryan Faundo (Dispersal Draft)
2014 Draft Pick: 6th pick: Rodney Brondial
Players Added: Joseph Yeo (Trade) and Rodney Brondial (Draft)

Projected Depth Chart:

The Bandwagon Wire Says:

It has been 6 years since the Barangay has last won its PBA championship. It’s unbelievable that a team loaded from top to bottom year-in and year-out failed to win at least one crown for 17 straight conferences. Majority of Ginebra fans blame the coaching circus the team has gone through as the reason why the team always fails to bag a conference crown. Since 2012, the team has gone through 4 coaching changes

According to our sources, Coach Jeffrey Cariaso held-off retiring from the game completely for two reasons. First, the opportunity to coach the league’s most popular team with it’s never-say-die mantra and second, secure such coaching position for the next 2 seasons. A deal like that is what Ginebra fans have been clamoring for: a coach that is not afraid of his job security.

The Triangle: One Year Later

Last season, the team looked lost in implementing the intricate triangle offense. It’s one of the more complicated offensive sets in professional basketball since technically there are no sets in the triangle. For the basketball neophytes, proper spacing and reactions are two of the most vital things in the offense. Moreover, any player in the offense could post-up while a good wing ball-handler, a point-forward, is essential to properly execute the offense. Finally, the bigs must be ready to properly hand-off, pass-out, or hit the midrange or post shot at any point of the offense. Reaction is the key!

Now 6 months in the triangle era for the Barangay, the team has had a lot of time to master the art. It’s time to see whether the team full of one-on-one players can mesh and follow a disciplined system.

Clogged Wings

Everyone knows that the crown jewel of the Barangay has been passed from The Fast and the Furious to the Twin Towers of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar. Slaughter and Aguilar are sure shots to get the same numbers they had last season.

But in looking at the Ginebra depth chart, the squad has so much depth at the 2 and 3 position. Well, one would say that too much was never a problem but sometimes it is! Coach Cariaso has to manage the minutes of superstar Mark Caguioa, super 6^th man Joseph Yeo, Mac Baracael, Chris Ellis, Dylan Ababou, and sophomore James Forrester. Let’s take a look at the averages of Caguioa, Yeo (from Air 21), Baracael, and Ellis from last season.

As you can see in the table above, all of those guys, especially Mark Caguioa and Joseph Yeo, handle the ball a lot. But to keep the ball moving, all four wings should be able to manage to stop taking tough jump shots to create for their teammates. If they are able to forget about chalking up stats for perfect ball movement, the Never-Say-Die team will be the team-to-beat this conference.

2014 Philippine Cup Prediction

We at the Wire have a feeling that this will be the season that Ginebra will win at least one crown. The team now has an identity under Coach Cariaso. With an imposing frontline, a wealth of talent on the wings and an excellent floor general in LA Tenorio, the Barangay now have the perfect all-around team that will be a menace at both ends of the court.

Our prediction: 4^th place after the elimination round, finals team

 2014-15 PBA Philippine Cup Primers