MANILA: Better play it safe than be sorry.
Barangay Ginebra used a torrid second half last night to break away from Red Bull and post a 111-104 win for a 2-0 lead in their semifinal series in the Fiesta Cup which coach Jong Uichico still refused to acknowledge as a safe edge at this point.
“Until the clock reads zero and we win four games, you cannot say that this is over,” Uichico told reporters shortly after the win at the Araneta Coliseum and moving within two more victories of a second stint in the championship series with this team.
“What I’m saying is that the possibility (of a Red Bull comeback) is always there and we don’t want that to happen,” Uichico, the winner of six titles, added. “Ang kalaban namin now is ourselves.
“If we think that they will give in because they’re 0-2 down is not in Yeng’s character. We have had our battles in the past and I just know that that (giving up) is not the character that he (Guiao) instills in his team.” Jay-Jay Helterbrand got into early foul trouble and did his damage in the third quarter to fuel a blinding Ginebra surge, shooting 19 of his 27 in the period as the Gin Kings played with complete command.
The 6-foot guard hit all six of his triples in that span and also finished with nine assists in a brilliant 27-minute stint. Backcourt buddy Mark Caguioa backed him up with 24 and Ginebra improved to 3-0 in this tournament with both players scoring 20 or better.
Chris Alexander outplayed a healthy Adam Parada and made his claim for the Best Import award many thought was a cinch for the Red Bull reinforcement, shooting 20 markers and grabbing 18 rebounds in 40 minutes.
The dream final between sister teams Ginebra and Magnolia was derailed, if for a bit, after Air21 survived a furious finishing kick by the Beverage Masters to hammer out a 103-102 victory in the second game.
Gary David led the Express with 26 points, a lot of them in clutch situations, as Air21 welcomed back import Steven Thomas by playing inspired ball to level their separate series at 1-1.
“It’s never really been about what numbers Steve produces,” Air21 coach Bo Perasol said later. “It’s all about the confidence he gives to this team. His teammates are playing heads-up knowing that they have Thomas behind them.”
Air21 almost lost a six-point lead inside the final minute with Dondon Hontiveros nailing five straight points for what turned out to be the final score.
And Magnolia actually had a golden chance to turn the game around as a double team on Wynne Arboleda in the final Air21 offensive resulted in a turnover with Mike Cortez receiving an outlet from Hontiveros. But Cortez did not call for time and instead took his chances against Arwind Santos, who played heady defense and bothered the Magnolia guard’s reverse layup at the buzzer, igniting a wild celebration from the small Air21 gallery. “A huge credit for the win goes to Arwind for not giving up on the play,” Perasol added.
“It’s now down to a best-of-five series and anything can now happen. “Our mindset for the next games is that we now know that we can beat Magnolia, and that puts a lot of confidence on the boys.”
Thomas returned from the United States after attending tryouts of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, and he poured in 15 points and had 17 rebounds to go with two blocks.
Ranidel de Ocampo scattered 22 points and Arboleda finished with 19 and six assists for the Express.
Amal McCaskill, who had his way with 34 points when Thomas was absent in Game 1, scored 25, had 13 rebounds and six assists for the Beverage Masters, who were bolstered by the return of Danny Seigle.
Seigle, who sat out Magnolia’s quarterfinal series with Coca-Cola and Game 1 of this series, scored 11 points and was one of five players in twin digits for coach Siot Tanquingcen.
