The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and the San Miguel Beermen start their best-of-seven semifinal series tomorrow after the Gin Kings subdued the Alaska Aces in three hard-fought games in the quarterfinals.

The Tropang Texters advanced to the Final Four against the B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados.

The key to a Ginebra victory I feel is the team’s deep, deep backcourt with stars Willie Miller, Jayjay Helterbrand, JC Intal, Ronald Tubid and especially high-scoring two guard Mark Caguioa. Those veterans certainly know when to rise to the occasion.

Caguioa displayed an uncanny ability to step up when needed most by twice leading Barangay Ginebra in crucial back-to-back wins over Alaska in their quarterfinals duel.

Caguioa, who could only average 13 points in his first 13 outings, came off the bench to pour in two 20-point games in those crucial Ginebra wins that earned him the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period Dec. 20 to 26.

Caguioa got plenty of help from Rudy Hatfield (who averages 13 points, 15.5 rebounds) and Ronald Tubid (13.5 points).

During the PBA Christmas Day game, the 2001 Rookie of the Year took over in the second half with 16 of his points to lead Ginebra into a deciding 79-70 victory before a standing room only crowd at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Prior to that, the man nicknamed “The Spark” scattered seven points in the first and third quarters. Caguioa gave the Kings the lead and helped them break away from a close game and well on their way into a runaway 94-76 triumph in game 2.

The Gin Kings, starring Caguioa certainly know how to combat adversity. From the brink of elimination and an early 20-point deficit in the deciding game, Ginebra is now in a best-of-seven semis against San Miguel Beer.

I have no doubt Caguioa will again play a major part in Ginebra’s drive.

In the other playoff matchup, the Tropang Texters already hold a 1-0 edge after posting 98-91 win over B-MEG Sunday night at the Antipolo Ynares Center .

Jimmy Alapag was again the big-time clutch performer which towed Talk ‘N Text to victory. Alapag drilled a three-pointer and drew a foul from Jonas Villanueva with 2:07 left in. Alapag then converted the bonus charity that stretched a then slim three-point Talk `N Text lead to a safe 94-87 cushion.

Alapag finished with a team-high 20 points and put the Tropang Texters ahead in their Final Four match.

The Tropang Texters also got a big contribution off the bench from Ranidel de Ocampo, who unloaded 18 points – 16 in the second quarter – in only his fifth game of the season after undergoing operations two months ago to remove bone spurs from both feet.

I expect more game-deciding heroics from Alapag, who should tow his team to another finals appearance.

In other words, I am picking Barangay Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text as the teams to advance to the championship of the Philippine Cup.

Reuel Vidal, Manila Standard Today