Hotdogs upbeat, eye vital win against Pals

Purefoods has tried everything to check an alarming skid even recalling a tested point guard from retirement only to find the solution, even momentarily, right on its backcourt.

"We had a sort of leadership crisis and I thought the best solution was to call on Ronnie ( Magsanoc) to play again. But he said he’s now looking at a different career (coaching) and I respected his decision," said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio.

With Magsanoc declining the offer to suit up again, Gregorio decided to tinker with their backcourt and found some relief with Noy Castillo moving to the point.

"We found the temporary solution by making a big adjustment putting Noy at the pointguard spot. Now we’re aiming for our first back-to-back wins. We’re determined to get that because we desperately want to get out of the cellar," said Gregorio.

Beating the San Miguel Beermen the last time out, the Hotdogs seek to gain a second straight win at the expense of the Talk N Text Phone Pals at the resumption of the Samsung All-Filipino Cup at the Philsports Arena today.

Sta. Lucia Realty, only a game ahead of Purefoods at fourth place in Group A with a 3-4 win-loss card, and Shell, the cellar-dweller in Group B with a 1-6 record, collide in the other game at 5 p.m.

"The team is very upbeat again. The last time we won, we lost four in a row afterwards. We don’t want to be in the same predicament again," said Gregorio.

But the youthful mentor admitted they have tough assignments ahead as they play the Phone Pals today then the Barangay Ginebra Kings Saturday in an out-of-town game in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. "Masyadong mabigat ang dalawang sunod na laro namin," he said.

Against Talk N Text, the Hotdogs have to contain Fil-Tongan behemoth Asi Taulava who’s been averaging in double figures both in scoring and rebounding.

Purefoods has its own big man in Andy Seigle but the 6-foot-10 player is seemingly badly affected by the Senate inquiry on the "Fil-sham inquiry." He lambasted the media last Friday on their reports about this issue.

Eric Menk’s nationality is also being questioned but unlike Seigle, the Ginebra stalwart is taking it in stride, churning out one big game after another. He made 38 points and 17 rebounds in a remarkable game versus FedEx Sunday which he dedicated to his mother, Lucia Padua, who was to leave for the United States yesterday.