Ginebra taps big banger

Gee, he seems terrific.

That’s the typical first impression when you see Barangay Ginebra import Jarrod Gee who’s teaming up with comebacking Charles Richard (Bubba) Wells for the Kings in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors Cup starting Sunday.

Ginebra team manager Ira Maniquis gulps at the sight of the 6-8, 240-pound forward who flew in Sunday.

"He’s massive – with a wide body," says Maniquis. "He looks like Shawn Kemp only he’s nice and decent."

Gee, who was recruited by Los Angeles-based Filipino agent Caloy Allado, is known as a frightening inside operator. Arvin Donley, writing in the Big 10 Basketball Handbook, described him as "an inside banger who loves to go to the glass." Michael Bradley, another NCAA scribe, said Gee "is strong, can handle the ball, (and) hits it from inside 12 feet."

Atlanta Hawks coach Lon Kruger cited Gee’s athleticism and combination of strength and quickness. Kruger coached Gee two years at the University of Illinois.

Gee averaged 25 points and 10.8 rebounds as a senior at St. Martin de Porres high school in Chicago in 1993-94. He was named Illinois Co-Player of the Year after leading the varsity to the state prep semifinals.

Gee played four years at Illinois, his first two seasons for coach Lou Henson and the last two for Kruger. The Fighting Illini went to the NCAA playoffs in three of his four years. In all, Illinois posted a combined 82-45 record during Gee’s stay.

Gee shot over 50 percent from the field in his last three years at Illinois. As a senior in 1997-98, he averaged 8.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 24.1 minutes to power Illinois to a 23-10 mark.

This year, Gee averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Gary Steelheads in the Continental league before packing his bags for Manila. He also hit 49.5 percent from the floor and 75.5 percent from the stripe.

Calling the shots for the Kings in the Governors Cup are assistant coaches Cris Calilan, Bong Ramos and George Ella. Head coach Allan Caidic was drafted to assist Joseph Uichico in the national squad.

Gone from last year’s lineup are Elmer Lago and Alex Crisano. Caidic brought in Eric Menk and E. J. Feihl via offseason trades but both will be playing for the candidates teams in the First Conference. Other fresh recruits are rookies Yves Chester Tolomia and Gilbert Malabanan who were inked to two-year contracts.

Tolomia, a 6-2 slasher, is tough, quick off his feet, and a challenge to Mark Caguioa at practice, says Maniquis. Malabanan is a 6-4 defensive player in the Ronald Magtulis mold.

Maniquis says the Kings are ready to rumble. "The guys are looking forward to a great season," he notes. "Mark is playing better than ever. At practice, he sometimes goes up against Bubba and they really slug it out – with trash talking, too. Pasiklaban sila. Jun (Limpot), Vergel (Meneses), Ronald and Bal (David) are doing fine. We had a scare last week when we thought we would lose JayJay (Helterbrand) for a year because of a suspected irregular heartbeat but he’s been cleared by two doctors to play. Wilmer (Ong) is still around – his big heart is his biggest asset. Our only problem is Banjo (Calpito) won’t be able to play the First Conference because of a stress fracture."

Another Ginebra casualty is Boy Valera who won’t be back until the Second Conference to recover from knee surgery.

"We can’t wait for Eric and E. J. to join us after the Asian Games," says Maniquis. "E. J. has promised to play tough this year. Coach Allan toughened him up when they played for the Centennial team in 1998. They’ve got a good relationship."

Maniquis says he expects Wells to lead Ginebra’s charge in the First Conference. "He’s in great shape – better than when he played here last year," notes Maniquis. "He’s unstoppable – shooting from outside, driving strong, dunking, dishing."

Wells, 27, came in as a late replacement for Mark Jones and played only four games in the Third Conference last season. The 6-4, 230-pound former Dallas Maverick led the Kings to a 3-1 mark, averaging 21.8 points.

Ginebra placed second in the All-Filipino last year but didn’t make it past the quarters in both the Commissioner’s and Governors Cups. The Kings finished with a 25-27 record, a significant improvement from 15-22 the previous season.