MANILA, 13 May 2006 — So much for souped up teams rejuvenating their campaigns in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Alaska and Talk ‘N Text, after figuring prominently in a blockbuster deal earlier in the week, got burned in their first outing with retooled lineups last night as the Aces fell to Air21 and the Phone Pals took an unexpected beating from Barangay Ginebra.

The Gin Kings, their lineup depleted by injuries to key personnel, including starting center Rommel Adducul, hammered out a 124-121 victory over the Phone Pals, who paraded a team beefed up by the addition of Ren-Ren Ritualo and Don Allado.

Mark Caguioa torched the Phone Pals with another overpowering performance, finishing with 42 points as the Kings repeated over Talk ‘N Text, marking the victory with an emotional celebration at midcourt considering what the team has been through of late.

“I can’t say enough,” said Ginebra’s Siot Tanquingcen, almost crying. “I am just so proud to be coaching a bunch of guys who just don’t want to quit.”

Caguioa is averaging slightly over 40 points in Ginebra’s two victories over the Phone Pals in this tournament. The 6-foot swingman did most of his damage in the third period, when he rifled in 20 of his total.

Jay-Jay Helterbrand finished with 21 points and Mark Macapagal, a reserve originally drafted by the Phone Pals, shot a career-high 16 points while missing just one of five attempts from beyond three-point range.

The trio actually were at it the whole game, as a string of their baskets capped by Macapagal’s third triple of the night shoved the Gin Kings ahead for good, 110-108.

Ritualo did show his worth, though, leading all Talk ‘N Text shooters with 24 points with Asi Taulava contributing 20 and 15 rebounds.

But it was clear, at least in their first game, that winning does not necessarily come with the strongest of lineups.

Ginebra improved to 6-6, while the Phone Pals dropped to 5-8.

The Aces, on the other hand, failed to contain Air21’s new cornerstone, KG Canaleta and the Express got big games from big siblings in turning back Alaska.

Canaleta scattered 27 markers, making a mockery of all defenses thrown at him by Alaska in a 99-88 victory by the Express in the first game at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was the coming out game management announced of its new franchise player on the eve of dealing Ritualo to the Phone Pals in a blockbuster six-player trade among six teams Monday night.

Canaleta, the slam dunk champion for the last two years, shot 10-of-16 from the floor, helping the Express establish control early and fuelling a breakaway in the fourth period for Air21’s fifth victory in 14 games.

“We just have to move forward,” said Air21 coach Bo Perasol. “We have to make do with what we have and we know that we are still a good team.

“We don’t have Ren-Ren anymore and KG (Canaleta) and the rest of the team will just have to step up,” Perasol added. “I have no one left with (Ronald) Tubid and (Gary) David on the injured list. I just have everybody to rely on.”

Willie Miller, the 2004 MVP with Talk ‘N Text, played his first game for the Aces and was hardly a factor. John Ferriols, also a former MVP, but in the defunct MBA, also debuted for Alaska and also didn’t have much luck contributing significantly.

Both wound up with eight points each.

De Ocampo brothers Yancy and Ranidel turned in solid supporting performances with 21 points each for the Express, who actually snapped a tournament-worst five-game losing streak.

Saying they are now transformed into a defensive team with Ritualo gone, the Express put some justice into that statement by forcing the usually efficient Alaska offense to 30 turnovers, which Air21 turned into 40 points.

Mike Cortez led Alaska’s losing cause with 16 points. Sonny Thoss contributed 15 and Jeffrey Cariaso and Nic Belasco, who is left as the truly reliable big man in Tim Cone’s lineup, chipped in with 14 each.