By Rey Joble

GINEBRA coach Jong Uichico is keeping his options open to get a quality big man for the Philippine Basketball Association Reinforced Conference.

?Anything can happen,? Uichico told Standard Today via an overseas call from Bangkok, where he is spending his vacation before plunging back to action. ?Our priority, just in case there will be offers, is to get a quality big man.?

While admitting that the Kings are open for negotiation for a quality big man, the seven-time PBA champion coach squelched rumors that Mark Caguioa, one of the Gin Kings? spark plug, will be traded in favor of his former player, Danny Seigle of San Miguel Beer. There were unconfirmed reports that the two players will shift teams with the help of a conduit squad.

?That?s not true,? said Uichico. ?We are, in fact, preparing for the return of Mark, but I still have to speak with the doctors in the United States because he was advised to stay there a little longer. But he is improving right now.?

Caguioa suffered a knee injury and was treated by National Basketball Association doctor Steve Lombardo of the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Rookie of the Year is expected to be here early March and anchor his team?s title retention bid.

Uichico was also happy to get quality players like JC Intal, Chico Lanete and Doug Kramer, whom the Kings acquired via a three-way trade with sister team Purefoods and Burger King last month.

?They will be a big help. JC brings us his versatility of playing both the big guard and small forward spots, and we really need him since Mark is on the injured list. Doug will provide us the intangibles up front, while Chico can also play both guard spots, which will stabilize our running game and compliment Ronald Tubid and Jayjay Helterbrand,? added Uichico.

Uichico also said that he will decide on who will be the team?s import by the end of the week. He already has a short list of candidates, which include former import Rod Nealy.

?He is one of the candidates,? said Uichico, referring to Nealy. ?But there are a lot of new guys, mostly coming from the NBA?s Developmental League. It?s good to have a familiar face on the list because you can always tap him anytime.?

Meanwhile, two-time Most Valuable Player Willie Miller has been chosen as the Best Player of the Conference in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

Miller won votes in all departments?the statistics, the PBA Commissioner?s Office, media, players and television coveror. He garnered a total of 1443 and beat his closest pursuer Mac Cardona by a wide margin.

Cardona, Talk N Text?s main man, had a total of 870.