BARANGAY Ginebra’s trademark never-say-die attitude vaulted the team to a sister-act semifinal showdown with San Miguel Beer. The Kings bounced back from a 0-1 deficit in the best-of-three quarterfinal series and withstood a poor first quarter in Game Three on Saturday to carve out an improbable 79-70 win over the Aces on Christmas day at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“It was a big relief,” said Ginebra head coach Jong Uichico, as his wards trailed 17-34 after the first period but held Alaska to just 36 points in the next three quarters.
“It’s really hard to play Alaska because they made good adjustments and I’m happy we were able to overcome this one and enter the semifinals,” added Uichico.
The Kings and the Beermen begin their best-of-seven semifinal series on January 5, giving Ginebra more time to heal its injured big men particularly Eric Menk, who has been downed by various injuries.
But for Uichico, his real problem for now is how to beat his former team, the No. 2 ranked squad after the elimination phase and which has been playing inspired basketball under new coach Ato Agustin.
The Kings’ mentor said the Beermen have the size and athleticism that is why they are very hard to beat.
“Size always hurts us. Alaska has size and San Miguel also has size, but they have athleticism and that’s why the Beermen are up there right now,” said Uichico, referring to versatile players Jay Washington, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Dondon Hontiveros and new recruit Sunday Salvacion, a former Ginebra long-distance bomber.
“And our speed will be offset by their athleticism. Now, who has the advantage? It’s San Miguel because of their size,” stressed Uichico.
Without Menk, Rudy Hatfield and Willy Wilson had to work extra hard against Alaska as Enrico Villanueva is starting to find his niche in the Kings’ rotation.
Hatfield was relentless last Sunday with 10 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, seven on the offensive end. Wilson, an undersized forward at six-foot-two, also had 10 markers but made life difficult for Alaska’s top gunner Joe Devance.
Devance was able to get his points, 21, but only one in the final period where the Kings held Alaska to just 11.
Villanueva was also huge off the bench as he finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds, giving Uichico his lone inside threat in the absence of Menk.
Uichico hopes to get consistent games from his big men to have a legitimate shot at ending a four-year All-Filipino title drought.
“We will just do our best to lessen their size advantage,” said Uichico. “Mabigat na kalaban ang San Miguel. Let’s just see what will happen in the semis.”
Joel Orellana, Business Mirror
