Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa are expected to be re-signed when Barangay Ginebra starts negotiations with 14 players whose contracts have expired.

While the Kings’ coaching staff has the prerogative to choose who will be retained, Helterbrand and Caguioa will be retained, according to San Miguel Corp. basketball operations chief Robert Non.

“They’re the team’s franchise players,” said Non.

The other Ginebra players whose contracts expire this season are Eric Menk, Sunday Salvacion, Chris Pacana, Willie Wilson, Rafi Reavis, Paul Artadi, Ronald Tubid and Chico Lanete.

At presstime, the Kings were playing against San Miguel Beer last night for the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup crown at the Araneta Coliseum.

Caguioa’s contract expired last July 15 along with Junthy Valenzuela, Junjun Cabatu, Macky Escalona and JR Aquino expired last July 15. Billy Mamaril’s contract ends on July 30.

Caguioa actually missed the entire 2008-09 PBA season because of tendonitis. He underwent rehabilitation program in the United States before returning recently.

“Si Mark (Caguioa) naman okay na ‘yung rehab n’ya. Babalik lang uli s’ya sa US for vacation. Pero once na umuwi s’ya dito, conditioning na lang and he’ll be ready for the all-Filipino (Philippine Cup) next season,” Non said.

The Kings have four players who are still under contract, and these are Cyrus Baguio, JC Intal, Homer Se, and Doug Kramer.

San Miguel, on the other hand, is expected to keep franchise players Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros.

Seigle, who is recuperating from a back injury in the US, has a contract with SMC that expired last July 15 along with Lordy Tugade. Hontiveros’ deal, on the other hand, will end on July 31.

The contracts of Jonas Villanueva, the Most Improved Player winner this season, Marc Pingris, Mike Cortez, Dorian Peña, Olsen Racela, Wesley Gonzales, Chris Calaguio, and Sam Eman also ended with the conclusion of the Finals.

There are 46 other players who are expected to seek contract extension with their respective mother clubs or sign new deals with other teams.