Ginebra’s Road to Redemption has Globalport’s MMDA as Next Hurdle

Ginebra’s Road to Redemption has Globalport’s MMDA as Next Hurdle
BY Nikko Ramos



WHAT THIS GAME MEANS

Legit Status.

Remember in the Philippine Cup when LA Tenorio, in his first game with the Barangay, ran by, around and through Globalport and made us all hopeful for a revitalized Ginebra and doubtful of a scorer-loaded Globalport? And then the rest of the season played out and we saw that both teams were fundamentally flawed? Fast forward to today and here they are meeting again.



Globalport tried to revamp everything, adding Sol Mercado and Japeth Aguilar and looking mighty exciting on the hardwood. They’re new, they’re agile, they’re spunky, and man, they look good. That ball’s moving, there’s no drama, Sol’s dishing to everyone, Gary’s being Gary, Japeth is finally coming through and Willie seems to be happy with a supporting role so far. Sure a loss to league-leading Barako Bull (did I really just type that?) was forgivable, but going down 1-2 might shatter the glass for all of us and reveal Globalport’s good start to a flash in the pan, like Ginebra’s big W over them last conference.

Ginebra changed things up by moving Siot Tangquincen a few seats down the bench in a switcheroo with Alfancis Chua (although when the game starts they’re all standing up anyway and it’s confusing as hell). They also got a lemon in reinforcement Herbert Hill. Will today be the day they finally figure things out? Or will the Barangay go home frustrated again?



WHAT TO WATCH

Ginebra’s interior D.

They still have a hole in the middle. After everything that’s been said and pointed out with this team, they’re still weak and small in the Center position. And in the All-Filipino that’s an understandable problem, but an import is supposed to fix all that. But so far Herbert hasn’t fixed anything.

If Sol can drive without fear or hesitation, he’ll either finish, drop off to Japeth or Justin Williams for the dunk or kick out to Gary for the three. Basketball is never simple, but if Ginebra’s interior defense continues to be problematic, it won’t be too complicated for this loaded Batang Pier team to find ways to score and get the momentum.



WHO TO WATCH

Herbert.

It’s basically the dude’s last chance, they say. I think it’s his last game, win, lose or draw. I mean, if he gives you 25 and 10 in this game, do you hold off on the replacement and keep him? No? What about 30 and 15? Will those numbers be enough to erase the image of him missing his first 10 shots against Air21? Still no? Okay. Let’s say the man goes off and scores 40 with 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. Do you say “Okay let’s go with him!” or “Chamba lang yun. Palitan padin natin.”

I don’t know what he has to do in this game to keep his job, but whatever it is, he’s gotta do it. And quick.

Photos c/o InterAKTV

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