Mac Baracael uses hurt from ejection to explode for Ginebra in Game Four

PBA/Nuki Sabio

In Game Three of their PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup semifinals series against the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel forward Mac Baracael was in the dugout for most of the second half, relegated to being a cheerleader after getting ejected for a second technical foul in the game.

He promised himself that it wouldn’t be the same story in Game Four.

“Actually nung na-eject ako last time, nanood pa ako sa dugout eh. Parang nasaktan ako na natalo kami. Unang pumasok sa isip ko, next game mag-fo-focus ako para makabawi ako sa ejection,” Baracael said after the game.

What made the ejection sting for him was the fact that he felt he didn’t deserve the ejection in Game Three.

“Tingin ko hindi eh. Nung tiningnan ko, parang wala naman. Yung reaksyon ko, (maliit) lang naman. May mga ibang player rin naman (ginagawa yun).

“Nagulat din ako na binigyan ako tapos na-throw out ako.”

He bounced back with a vengeance in Game Four, though, scoring a game-high 20 points and providing the Ginebra offense an outside shooting threat is lacked in the previous game.

Baracael hit four-of-five from the three-point area.

He said that making sure he kept his composure in Game Four was his big adjustment.

“Yun lang, nag-cool lang yung mind ko. Nag-focus lang ako. Everytime na naglalaro ako tapos uminit ulo ko nawawala ako eh. Nag-cool lang ako tapos yun nga, pumasok ng pumasok.”