PRINCE SITS ON KINGS THRONE
PRINCE CAPERAL is playing like a king of hoops for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel inside the isolated kingdom in Pampanga known as the Clark bubble.
But for the Gin Kings head coach, Tim Cone, Caperal is playing true to expectations.
“We’re not surprised by Prince’s play in the bubble. He just needed the opportunity and with Greg’s [Slaughter] absence, he has been able to seize that opportunity,” Cone told Businessmirror on Thursday, admitting they are missing the inside presence of the 7-foot star Slaughter.
“Without a doubt, we miss Greg [Slaughter]. He would be crucial come playoff time,” Cone said.
Caperal is mobile and agile in the shade and owns a deadly perimeter shot—he’s swishing the net from beyond the arc, too. His numbers in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup that is played without the crowd speak of his strength—14.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in four games.
“I would like to say yes,” Caperal said when asked if he is enjoying his best performance in his six-year PBA career under the best head coach and most popular team in the league.
“My motivation is how to help the team whatever it takes. I am just taking advantage of all the opportunities they are giving in,” he added.
But Caperal said his game remains a work in progress.
“So far, there are a lot of things to improve in my overall game, especially my one-on-one defense. Due to the lack of big man in our lineup, I did all my best to train during lockdown,” he said. “I conditioned myself very well, and I think that’s one of the motivations—i am ready all the time.”
Despite their spectacular run after four assignments so far, the most successful PBA coach with 22 titles highlighted by two grand slams believes elimination round has yet to get tougher.
“We’re just taking it game by game, hoping to establish some momentum in the conference,” the 62-year-old Cone said. “With each game, we’ve been able to build some confidence. We have a tough week coming up with four tough opponents. It’s going to get harder.”
The 4- 0 win- loss record is Ginebra’s franchise best start since the 1986 Open conference which the team won.
Meralco and Phoenix Super LPG, meanwhile, gun for their third win in five games when they collide with separate foes on Friday at the Angeles University Foundation gym.
The Bolts, sitting in seventh place with a 2-2 record, battle the NLEX Road Warriors (1-3) at 4 p.m.
The Fuel Masters, still waiting for Calvin Abueva’s return, meet a struggling Magnolia squad (1-3) at 6:45 p.m.