GINEBRA SCORES EQUALIZER
Mac Baracael, the goat in Game One then getting practically the same tag for his ejection in Game Three, redeemed himself big time Wednesday, playing a key role as Barangay Ginebra again got back at San Mig Coffee, 85-82, in the fourth game of their PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup Final Four faceoff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Baracael delivered 20 points with a remarkable 4-of-5 three-pointers and put up a solid defensive effort on James Yap in the crunch as the Kings overcame a rollercoaster ride and forged a 2-2 deadlock in the best-of-seven series.
The Kings blew and hot in the contest, but not Baracael who played steady through 20 minutes and spelled the big difference in their vital victory.
“Ready naman kami sa game na ito. Kaya lang when they started pressing us, we committed many mistakes siguro dahil na rin sa pagod. Importante hindi nawala ang poise sa dulo,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
“Dinala kami noong mga beterano. LA (Tenorio) did a good job,” added Agustin, making special mention of his chief playmaker who accounted for five of Ginebra’s last seven games.
It was Baracael, though, who put Ginebra back on top, 78-76, after losing a huge 16-point spread.
And the former FEU standout and national player came through with a crucial steal off James Yap with Ginebra nursing a shaky three-point lead, 82-79, with a little over a minute left to play.
A split from the line by Tenorio made it 83-79 before Joe Devance buried a three-pointer to make it a one-possession game.
Another quick San Mig Coffee foul sent Tenorio back to the line. Tenorio sank both charities, and the Kings eventually escaped with the win as Yap’s potential game-tying three-pointer rattled off the rim at the buzzer.
“We played good defense at the finish and we enjoyed some good breaks,” said Agustin.
Curiously after a confrontation between coaches Agustin and Tim Cone late in the third, the Kings went on a long dry spell, squandering a 70-54 spread and falling behind at 72-76.
The Kings, however, recovered in time and avoided falling in a deep 1-3 hole in the race-to-four-games series.
The two teams break their 2-2 tie in Game Five Saturday also at the Big Dome.
Ginebra went on a rollercoaster ride in Game Four, dipping and soaring before steadying in the crunch.
The Kings broke their long silence in the second half as Emman Monfort nailed a trey then Baracael came up with a three-point play off Yap.
As Ginebra regained the upperhand at 78-76, the Kings throngs got involved in the game again, erupting to chants of “Gi-ne-bra, Gi-ne-bra, Gi-ne-bra.” (SB)
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