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SEASONED
observers readily proclaimed that the semifinal series
between Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull is over.
And
nobody, it seems, would want to disagree. The signs,
after all, are convincing.
The
Kings are playing consistent and solid basketball with
Chris Alexander, Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand
completely dominating their Red Bull counterpart.
They are
also noticeably more motivated than the Barakos, who
appeared to have lost their chemistry and desire to
excel after taking a two-week break—their reward for
gaining outright passage to the Final Four.
Yet, for
all their splendid efforts in Games One and Two, Ginebra
coach Jong Uichico isn’t ready to address Red Bull in
the past tense, no matter how sportswriters tried to
press him to deliver a bold statement that would sound
short of counting out the Barakos, who now trail the
Kings, 0-2.
“We had
our battles. More or less I know how [coach] Yeng
[Guiao] thinks. He is an excellent motivator. Red Bull
is a dangerous team, especially when their backs are
against the wall,” offered Uichico moments after their
111-104 victory Wednesday, Ginebra’s second win in as
many games in the best-of-seven series of the 2008
Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta
Conference.
No one
will dare argue that the Kings, champions of this
tournament four years ago, are playing their best
basketball of the conference and, possibly, of the
season.
After a
0-5 start, the Kings closed out the elimination round by
racking up six wins in a row to stave off an early exit
and avoid the wild-card phase. As of latest count,
Ginebra is now the proud owners of a 10-game winning
streak—the longest by any team this conference.
Still,
Uichico maintained anything can happen and cautioned his
troops to be ready for any eventuality.
To
justify his apprehension, Uichico reminded media that
Ginebra was also in the same situation as Red Bull is
now.
Recollecting his memories, the soft-spoken mentor said
Ginebra had also fallen in a 0-2 hole against Magnolia,
then carrying the colors of San Miguel Beer, during the
2006-07 Philippine Cup Finals. But the Kings, as they
always do, didn’t quit. They rallied and managed to win
the next four games to claim the championship.
“There
is a possibility it could happen. But I hope it would
not,” he said.
Nevertheless, the unassuming Uichico said tonight’s Game
Three (7:20 p.m.) at the Ynares Center in Antipolo could
be Red Bull’s last shot to get back in the series. No
team in the 33-year history of the league has comeback
from a 0-3 hole in a race-to-four series.
“Their
last shot is today. We know they’ll be giving their all
so we also have to play 100 percent. We also need to win
Game 3 just as much to get closer to the Finals,” said
Uichico.
The
Kings will be marching into tonight’s game without
substitute center Alex Crisano, who was suspended for
one game and fined P20,000 by commissioner Sonny Barrios
for his flagrant-foul penalty 2 stemming from a play in
the third quarter that saw him slamming the ball on the
face of Red Bull guard Jojo Duncil.
Barrios
also fined Duncil P5,000 but this concerns his
flagrant-foul penalty 1 for tripping Paul Artadi while
the Ginebra guard was on his way to the basket.
The
possibility of Red Bull winning Game Three isn’t
far-fetched. But the Barakos will have to play
consistently as a team and try to match Ginebra’s
intensity and energy—something they sorely lacked in
Games One and Two.
After a
disappointing seven-point performance in Game One, Cyrus
Baguio sparkled with 34 points on Wednesday and Adam
Parada showed some signs of life as well, pouring 16
points and cornering 10 rebounds—a remarkable
improvement from his six-point, eight-rebound effort in
the opener on Sunday.
Still,
their efforts did little to inspire the Barakos, who
seemed to have lost fire and enthusiasm that propelled
them to an outright spot in the semifinals.
The
other semifinal series between Air21 and Magnolia is
showing strong indications of developing into a terrific
suspense theater.
With the
series now tie at one game apiece, the odds now stands
even going into Game Three although the Express enjoys a
psychological advantage in their 4:50 p.m. date after
escaping with a 103-102 decision in Game Two.
With
import Steven Thomas back in the lineup, the Express
appeared emotionally charged in Game Two and their
confidence helped them survive a belated rally by the
Beverage Masters in the closing seconds to tie the
series.
“As I
have been saying all along it’s not how many points he
makes. It’s his defense and his presence that brings
great value to the team. Thomas mere presence provides
the team with inspiration and confidence,” said Air21
coach Bo Perasol of his import, who reportedly tried out
in the National Basketball Association summer camp and
missed Game One. |
