Barangay Ginebra Kings Wants Game 3

Again, I was not able to watch the Quarter Finals Game between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB). Thus, I have no other recourse but to ask my friends to keep me posted. Nonetheless, I have the feeling that BGK will grab tonight's ballgame.

I felt kinda uncomfortable knowing that SMB leads in the first few minutes of the game. It was even more disappointing knowing the Chris Pacana had committed 3 personal fouls with so many time remaining in the 2nd Quarter. SMB continues to take charge of the driver's seat until Ronald Tubid hit a shot from downtown, making it at 30 all with 8minutes remaining in the 1st half. This 3 pointer had been succeeded by many other, letting BGK grab the lead at 37-36 with 5minutes remaining at the half. Sheer heart, that is, BGK ended the first half at 48-41.

At the 3rd Quarter, BGK continues to shine with their 3 pointers as Paul Artadi hits his own version of the arc, making the score at 54-41. It was as well complemented by a back to back steal by JayJay Helterbrand. Almost everyone contributed. Willie Wilson and Billy Mamaril made a field goal each to make it 58-41 in their favor. BGK's lead ballooned to 14 big points (68-52) forcing Coach Siot Tanquincen to commit a technical foul. BGK ended the 3rd Quarter with a commanding lead of 7 points (70-63).

But SMB showed BGK how important a deeper bench in this kind of series. They tied the ballgame at 70 all with less than 10minutes remaining in the pay off period. It has been a seesaw battle between the 2 sister companies. SMB, once again, grab the lead (85-82) in the last 2 minutes mark of the quarter. But, as what Tubid had said in their 2nd game of the eliminations, their hearts are much bigger, regaining the lead 90-88 with only 6.6 seconds remaining. It is indeed a pulsating ballgame. At the end, it was Tubid's heart that prevailed. BGK won 91-88. They forced SMB to play game 3 for a do or die game Sunday.

The scores:

Barangay Ginebra 91 - Tubid 19, Helterbrand 15, Menk 15, Salvacion 11, Valenzuela 9, Mamaril 8, Artadi 6, Wilson 5, Cabatu 3, Escalona 0, Pacana 0, Crisano 0.

San Miguel Beer 88 - Hontiveros 35, Seigle 12, Pena 10, Custodio 9, Tugade 9, Pingris 4, Washington 3, Gonzales 3, Racela 2, Pennisi 1.

Quarterscores: 22-26, 48-41, 70-63, 91-88.

It Could Have Been For The Kings

I kinda miss PBA. I got frustrated last time when the Purefoods TJ Giants (PF) were eliminated in their wildcard game against the Air21 Express. I got a little more disappointed that time since Kerby 'The Kid' Raymundo was only able to gain most of his scores only from the free throw line. Anyway, it was the first game of the Quarter Finals Series between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK), my favorite team, and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

I was not able to watch the game. Good that I have friends who willingly update me on the happenings as the game goes by. I was kinda sad that time when SMB lead ballooned to 10 big points at the end of the first half (42-32). To my mind, SMB is really an all-star cast. And there's BonBon Custodio (my bet for the Rookie of the Year, ha ha) who really plays so well. But, I still wanted to see BGK winning the game.

I was delighted when BGK come back because of their 3-pt shots. And it was more fascinating since one of the shots from the parking lot came from my favorite player, Chris Pacana. I really hoped that he would be given more playing time by Coach Jong Uichico.

It was a tight ball game in the ending minutes. While still on my way home, I hoped that I could still catch the game and see Pacana throwing the winning shot. Yes, I was able to catch the game. It was about 47 (Mark Caguioa? Where are you?) seconds left, 78-77 in favor of SMB, BGK's ball. Well, as expected, Pacana is no where to found in the court. Pacana is used by Coach Uichico more on the defensive stop rather on offense. Anyway, what matter here now is to have a basket. But it was heartbreaking when Ronald Tubid failed to chip in his 3 point basket. Nonetheless, he was hailed as the game's 3-point King. Now, it was SMB's ball. They just melted the clock, and was not able to gain a basket. Only 4 seconds left, BGK had another chance of making a win from this one. But, JayJay Helterbrand's 3-point attempt do not even touch the rim. Well, it was a hard shot. He was not given any screen that time. He simply fished for a fould then against Custodio, but the referees where too lazy to call one. (It makes me miss PF, and all their buzzer beaters.)

Sorry loss for BGK. The game could have been for the them. But, it was not. Well, the series is a Best of 3, they will surely come back next game. It would be a do or die for them. And I'm sure, they'll do it.

The scores:

San Miguel 78 - Tugade 15, Hontiveros 14, Racela 11, Custodio 10, Seigle 10, Pingris 6, Pena 6, Washington 4, Pennisi 2, Calaguio 0.

Ginebra 77 - Mamaril 22, Tubid 14, Valenzuela 9, Helterbrand 8, Artadi 7, Salvacion 6, Menk 4, Pacana 3, Wilson 2, Crisano 2, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 21-16, 42-32, 61-54, 78-77.

Barangay Ginebra Kings, 2-2 on October 22

I was so lucky that I have my BGK Jamships. With them, I can now often watch PBA live, hihi. Last night, I was there at the Big Dome to witness the game between Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and San Miguel Beermen (SMB).

We arrived before the end of 3rd Quarter of the First Game (Coca Cola Tigers vs Sta. Lucia Realtors). I cheered for Coke, since I don't like SLR. It was a close ball game. Even at the last seconds of the 4th Quarter, it was still everybody's ball game. It was 83-82 in favor of SLR, Coke's ball with less than 30 seconds left. They had the chance to win the game with just a 2 pointer. However, the shot of Nick Belasco, if I remembered it right, didn't go in. Luckily, Coke got the rebound, they had at least 4 chances to win the game. I even cheered for Ronjay Buenafe who is great from the 3 point arc, as well as Mark Macapagal. But, they just can't get the basket. A sorry loss for them. I remember they lost the same 1 point deficit against Talk N' Text.

Now, the long wait is over. The crowd started cheering as the players of BGK entered the hardcourt, and I do to, as I saw my favorite PBA player. Me and my friend started taking pictures of 'em. Lot's of pictures. I felt touched when I saw JayJay Helterbrand hugged Coach Siot Tanquinsen. Honestly, even with a depleted line up, I hoped that BGK would win the game. I just said to myself, it's 22 today, Chris' jersey is 22, his performance last game was excellent, I hope this time, he would be hailed as the Best Player of the Game.

BGK had a poor start against the star-studded SMB. But my hopes are still high. BGK almost always have their opponent lead at around 10-15 points at the 1st half, only to break their hearts in the end game.

Funny, but, I just cheered for Chris Pacana, Ü I clearly remember how he passes the ball to Willie Wilson. It was the KFC Delivery Assist of the Quarter (1st Quarter). It was simply magnificent. Oh, I really saw how selfless he is of the leather. To shoot the ball was not always an option when he knew there were 'shooters' inside the hardcourt. Makes me admire him more each game. *wink wink*

Ha ha, I remember my cellphone slipped away from me when he scored his first 2 points. Then I uttered, "oh, it's my cellphone" (laugh). He had a back-to-back basket at that time, courtesy of his steal. Know what? He was now the league leader in steals together with SLR's Ryan Reyes. See? That's how intelligent defender Chris is.

In my Chris Pacana entitled post, I mentioned that I never knew a point guard who can really block. Well, he did it again this time. And you can hear the crowd saying 'wooooooooooo', and I'm one of 'em. Ü

However, no matter how BGK played the game, every basket was answered by SMB with 3 point shots; and, every turn over was answered as well by field goals. The result, 118-89. I thought CP22 would be the BPG since it's October 22; but, BGK standings became 2-2 instead. However, eventhough BGK lost, I don't feel sad at all. Anyway, it was too early to mourn right? At the same time, Mark Caguioa ain't around yet. But behind all these, I was just glad that Chris' game kept on improving. My prayers are answered, and my sacrifices for his career are worth it. Go Chris, no matter what, I would still be cheering for you. God Bless your career. Ü