NEVER-SAY-DIE GINEBRA FORGES TITLE SHOWDOWN AGAINST ALASKA
BARANGAY Ginebra’s indomitable spirit lives on and has just taken it to another height.
The Kings bucked another back-against-the-wall situation, beating Talk N Text 111-103 Sunday to advance to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before close to 22,000 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was the fourth do-or-die game survived by Ginebra in the mid-season tourney and this one enabled it to wrap up the best-of-five semifinals, 3-2, and earn the right to face early qualifier Alaska in a similar race-to-three title duel starting Wednesday.
All because of a group of guys who never gave up like what they did in overcoming a twice-to-beat handicap against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals and going for an equalizing 104-101 victory in Game 4 of the series last Friday.
“I’ve got to give it to my players, coaching staff, management, led by Boss RSA (Ramon Ang),” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua, who assumed the team helm only before the conference started got it off to a 0-4 start.
“Everybody in this team never gave up, kept believing,” added Chua. “Maybe it’s God’s will, pero nu’ng nakarating lang kami sa semifinals parang championship na. And then this.”
LA Tenorio, Vernon Macklin, Jayjay Helterbrand and the other Ginebra players all stepped up in their biggest game yet and the team now has the chance to end a title drought since the 2008 Fiesta Conference in its first return to the finals since the 2011 Commissioner’s.
Tenorio scattered 12 of his teamhigh 28 points in the fourth quarter, while Kerby Raymundo and Marnel Baracael helped him along with six apiece that propped the Kings’ surge from an 87-81 game.
Chua even gave the fans a treat. With the victory secure, he sent in Mark Caguioa with 34.5 seconds left, to the delight of the predominantly pro-Ginebra crowd.
The reigning MVP who has been sidelined 11 games by a left medial collateral ligament injury, celebrated his return by sinking two charities off Ali Peek’s foul and was holding up the ball when the final buzzer sounded.
Tony Mitchell had 42 points, but his 16 fourth quarter points hardly mattered as Ginebra even stretched the difference to 103-89, only 1:33 left.
Jayson Castro scored 15 points, the bulk coming in TNT’s fightback from a 41-61 halftime deficit, while Ali Peek and Ryan Reyes each had at least 10 points. But their manpower problems mostly did the Tropang Texters in.
Sorely missed by TNT was the services of Ranidel de Ocampo, who suited up but did not play due to a right calf muscle injury he sustained in Game 4.
Sidelined two games by his own calf muscle injury, Jimmy Alapag saw action but only in the first quarter.
The Texters were already without Kelly Williams, due to a recurring blood disorder, and Jared Dillinger, who suffered a fractured hip due to a car accident following the series opener.
Still, TNT refused to let its manpower problems and a 20-point halftime deficit put its hopes down, threatening first at 66-72 and then again at 81-87, the last with still 7:07 to go.
Ginebra would prove to be too tough, however.
Macklin wound up with 22 points and 20 rebounds, Baracael had his highest output in a Ginebra uniform with 21 while Helterbrand and Raymundo each notched 15 and 13 points, respectively.
There were still some dicey moments for Ginebra.
The Kings seemed well on their way after outscoring TNT 34-23 in the second period to take a 61-41 at the turn.
The Texters would not be so easily daunted, however. With Castro and Mitchell leading the way they would chip away the deficit to within 66-72, but Macklin, Helterbrand and Baracael each came up with the points that extended the lead back to 78-69. (NC)
The scores:
BARANGAY GINEBRA 111 – Tenorio 28, Macklin 22, Baracael 21, Helterbrand 15, Raymundo 13, Hatfield 6, Urbiztondo 3, Caguioa 2, Ellis 1, Mamaril 0.
TALK ‘N TEXT 103 – Mitchell 42, Castro 15, Peek 11, Reyes 10, Ferriols 9, Aban 8, Fonacier 3, Al-Hussaini 2, Carey 2, Raymundo 1, Gamalinda 0, Alvarez 0, Alapag 0.
Quarterscores: 27-18, 61-41, 78-69, 111-103
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