Former Blue Eagles reunite with Ginebra
02/27/2009 | 04:47 PM
MANILA, Philippines – The trio of Macky Escalona, Doug Kramer and JC Intal hope to accomplish in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) what they failed to do in college.
The fabled members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles squad had been reunited with Barangay Ginebra during the season break and all three are looking forward to giving the Kings a big boost as the league’s most popular team begins its Fiesta Cup title defense.
Escalona had been the Kings’ back-up guard for two seasons now and the chance to play together with his college teammates came shortly after Intal and Kramer were shipped by Air21 in a blockbuster trade that also involved Purefoods just before the Finals of the recent Philippine Cup.
All three Ateneans were key players of the Blue Eagles squad that lost to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the 2006 UAAP men’s basketball finals.
“Yeah, it’s a reunion of sort for the three of us and we are very excited playing together again, especially for Ginebra, which everyone knows is the most popular team in this country," Kramer said.
Like Kramer, Intal is happy playing with Escalona again. That they are together in a team as popular as Ginebra comes as a bonus.
“For quite a while, I have not experienced playing before a big crowd cheering for my team (Ateneo). I can again experience this while playing for Ginebra. Last year when we played against Ginebra in the finals (for the Fiesta Cup), there are a lot of people cheering but not for us (Air 21)," said Intal.
“Now instead of jeering us, the crowd will be cheering for us, so I think that will be a great experience."
Incidentally, Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was a product of La Salle, the known bitter rival of Ateneo.
“I think that’s behind us now. What’s important is for us to help the team win another championship," Kramer stressed. – GMANews.TV
The fabled members of the Ateneo Blue Eagles squad had been reunited with Barangay Ginebra during the season break and all three are looking forward to giving the Kings a big boost as the league’s most popular team begins its Fiesta Cup title defense.
Escalona had been the Kings’ back-up guard for two seasons now and the chance to play together with his college teammates came shortly after Intal and Kramer were shipped by Air21 in a blockbuster trade that also involved Purefoods just before the Finals of the recent Philippine Cup.
All three Ateneans were key players of the Blue Eagles squad that lost to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the 2006 UAAP men’s basketball finals.
“Yeah, it’s a reunion of sort for the three of us and we are very excited playing together again, especially for Ginebra, which everyone knows is the most popular team in this country," Kramer said.
Like Kramer, Intal is happy playing with Escalona again. That they are together in a team as popular as Ginebra comes as a bonus.
“For quite a while, I have not experienced playing before a big crowd cheering for my team (Ateneo). I can again experience this while playing for Ginebra. Last year when we played against Ginebra in the finals (for the Fiesta Cup), there are a lot of people cheering but not for us (Air 21)," said Intal.
“Now instead of jeering us, the crowd will be cheering for us, so I think that will be a great experience."
Incidentally, Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was a product of La Salle, the known bitter rival of Ateneo.
“I think that’s behind us now. What’s important is for us to help the team win another championship," Kramer stressed. – GMANews.TV
