Ginebra misses Mark like crazy

Ginebra misses Mark like crazy
Written by : Zean Macamay


Game Today: (Araneta Coliseum)

6:45 p.m. – B-Meg vs. Ginebra



THE result of Mark Caguioa having to sit out Game One was disastrous. And he’s not going to return for Game Two, either.

So while the cat is away, it’s just simple for the mouse to play.

“Caguioa (his absence) was a huge factor without a doubt. Mark is their (Kings) natural X factor. He opens up things for everybody else, it’s a double-edged sword. We’ve got to follow it up. We know the character of Ginebra, how good they are,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone.

“The second game is really the key. It’s either you fall into a hole or go with a lead.”

Cone and B-Meg certainly would love it very much to go with the lead, seeking a commanding 2-0 advantage over their embattled sister team tonight as their Final Four duel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup resumes at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Llamados’ 82-67 victory in the series opener reflected how tough they have become after a bruising quarterfinal series against the Meralco Bolts. While B-Meg started the game flat by falling into a 21-8 deficit, it never lost hope, held Ginebra to only 21 points in the second and third quarters combined, before coasting to the win.

“It’s an interesting first half. They’re No. 1 in the league on defense and we’re No. 2. At halftime, I told the guys if we have to bleed for our points, don’t be afraid. That’s the way to win it,” said Cone.

Literally, no blood was spilled. But the game definitely was rough, with Marc Pingris being whistled for a flagrant foul one after elbowing Enrico Villanueva in the first half. In the second half, frustration crept in as Ginebra import Jackson Vroman lost his cool and shoved Yancy de Ocampo on the face that likewise meted an F1.

Game Two won’t be far off. That’s for sure.

As Ginebra tries to avoid dropping into a deep hole and hopes it could tie the series, one thing should be certain: consistency.

“We have to sustain our energy throughout. It’s crucial for us to tie the series,” said Kings’ coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Everything looked so fine when Ginebra stormed to a 13-point lead in the first quarter in Game One. But all of a sudden, the complexion of the game changed. The Kings were held to eight points in the second period, with B-Meg scoring 25, and were again held down to just 13 points in the third.

So after three quarters, the count stood at 60-42 in B-Meg’s favor, and no one among the Kings was able to trigger a comeback. Ginebra even trailed by as large as 25 points.

“We got going in the second quarter and started knocking down shots,” said Cone. “And then we built a surprising lead and to me that was the story of the game, it just occurred.”

So abysmal were the Kings in offense that no player managed to score more than 10 points. Vroman, who went 4-of-12 from the field and 2-of-7 from the free-throw line, and Rob Labagala each had 10 points.

Ginebra also was out-rebounded big time, 52-38, and shot just 35.8 percent from the floor on 24-0f-68 clip.

The Llamados, on the other hand, recovered well from their poor start to shoot 44.6 percent from the field (33-of-74). Denzel Bowles led B-Meg with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting while PJ Simon contributed 13.

Now, Cone appears concerned whether they could win back-to-back games against Ginebra.

“Following up a win is always the tough part about a series,” said Cone. “We’ll try to rely on the momentum we’ve established to see if we can put another good game tomorrow (today). We know the challenge is great.”
Source: Journal.com.ph