Ginebra Eyes Comeback vs B-Meg

Ginebra Eyes Comeback vs B-Meg

By WAYLON GALVEZ
April 12, 2012, 6:21pm


Game Friday (Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City)

6:45 p.m. — Barangay Ginebra vs B-Meg

Game Saturday (Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City)

6:45 p.m. — Talk ’N YText vs Barako Bull



MANILA, Philippines — B-Meg considers its win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of their semifinal showdown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup a huge boost to their confidence.

But there is no time to think about that for they know too well that the crowd darlings Gin Kings are sharpening their knives for a big comeback.

B-Meg head coach Tim Cone expects Ginebra – still without top player Mark Caguioa – to come out strong as it tries to level the series when the two teams clash anew in Game 2 of the best-of-five duel today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Cone’s team had a poor start when it was held to just eight points in the first period, but made the adjustments quickly and went on to score a convincing 82-67 victory Wednesday night in a highly physical game between teams under the San Miguel Corporation banner.

The key was defense as B-Meg limited Ginebra to a league’s lowest point production this season as the Kings failed to match the Llamados’ offense despite the huge crowd egging them on, a sharp contrast to the nearly deserted arena that watched the other semifinal series between the Talk ‘N Text and Barako Bull the night before.

Cone agrees that the absence of Mark Caguiao, Ginebra’s chief playmaker who is out nursing an injury, has affected the Kings’ rotation.

“We know the character of Ginebra, we know how good they are,” said Cone. “Caguioa was a factor without a doubt. Mark is their natural x-factor.”

B-Meg import Denzel Bowles outplayed his Ginebra counterpart Jackson Vroman, who avoided ejection despite a flagrant foul in the fourth period when he hit B-Meg’s Yancy de Ocampo in the face.

The referees gave Vroman a Flagrant Foul 1. Had it been a 2, it would have merited an automatic ejection, and perhaps a one-game suspension.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud commented that what Vroman did was a push, not a hit, when he confronted de Ocampo after a physical play.

“We know it was going to be physical,” said the 6-foot-11 Bowles, who collected 21 points with 10 rebounds as compared to Vroman’s 10 points and 10 boards. “That’s what we want to play, we want to play physical. If we play physical we felt we’re a better team.”

“We didn’t give up (after falling behind 21-8 after one quarter). We’re a better team. We just need to keep fighting, sustain that first hit,” he added.

PJ Simon was the only double-figure scorer for B-Meg with 13 points, but it doesn’t matter as the Llamados held the expected scorers of the Kings

B-Meg’s Rafi Reavis (center) tries to stop Barangay Ginebra’s Rudy Hatfield while looks on during Game 1 of their PBA semifinals game Wednesday night at the Ynares Gym in Antipolo. B-Meg won, 82-67. (Ali Vicoy)like Mike Cortez (seven points on 3-of-12 shooting), while Rudy Hatfield and Jayjay Helterbrand combined for just 14 points.

Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen said they failed to execute consistently in Game 1.

“We have to sustain our effort,” said Tanquingcen. “It doesn’t matter if unit 1 of our team is playing… unit 2. It doesn’t matter. Bottom line is we have to play better. Game 2 is very crucial. I’m not saying if we lose (Game 2), it’s over.”

“But in a short series, you don’t to go down 0-2,” he added.

Source: Manila Bulletin