MANILA, 21 January 2005 — Dondon Hontiveros proved to be the deciding factor Wednesday night as San Miguel Beer notched a 98-87 win over sister-team Ginebra and took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five semifinal showdown in the Gran Matador-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Danny Seigle had 32 points while co-national team hopefuls Danny Ildefonso and Nic Belasco combined for 37 points and 20 rebounds in a game that had its share of ebbs and flows.
But it was Hontiveros’ defensive stop when it mattered most that pushed the Beermen to the initial win and the splendid display more than made up for his way-below-par 2-of-10 shooting from the field.
Ginebra grittily clawed back from 13 points down to pull within 85-89. The Kings even had the chance to move closer after Hontiveros missed a wide-open three-point try.
But Hontiveros atoned for this by making a clean block on Rodney Santos, who was sailing in for what seemed to be a sure two points.
That gem of a play seemed to break Ginebra’s collective spirit and finally stoked Hontiveros, who turned a Kings miss into a lay-up for only his fourth point while making it a six-point game going into the final 49 seconds.
“If Danny S. manages to gets his points every night and the rest of the team will be able to provide him with enough support, I think we have a good chance,” said SMB coach Jong Uichico, visibly happy that his star forward is in the best of health and in peak form. Still, Uichico claims the series is far from over.
“It’s still a long way to go. I expect them (Ginebra) to make some adjustments and come back the next game,” Uichico said.
“I just hope the players would be able to keep their focus and sustain their energy.”
Game 2 of the best-of-5 doubleheader is scheduled today also at the Big Dome.
SMB and Ginebra battled through six deadlocks and 11 lead changes.
Rodney Santos opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back baskets that gave the Kings a 65-64 lead with 11:21 remaining. But SMB quickly responded with an 18-4 blast in the next five minutes and the Beermen never trailed again the rest of the way.
Mark Caguioa took scoring honors with 35 points but his effort went down the drain, failing to get enough support. The only other King in double digit was Eric Menk with 26 points.
In the other semifinal duel, Talk N Text drew first blood as it pounced on Shell, 101-89, in their series opener.
The end came early for the visibly tired Turbo Chargers as the Phone Pals shot 54 percent from the perimeter in building a 50-36 halftime advantage that stood solid till the endgame.
Willie Miller and Jimmy Alapag scored 20 points apiece to show the way for the Phone Pals, who are looking to become the first team in 19 years to successfully defend the All-Filipino crown.
The scores:
First Game:
San Miguel 96 _ Seigle 32, Ildefonso 20, Belasco 17, Racela 13, Villoria 5, Hontiveros 4, Mente 3, Pena 2, Singson 0.
Ginebra 87 _ Caguioa 35, Menk 26, Santos 8, Helterbrand 7, Adducul 4, Seigle 4, Dimaunahan 2, Noble 1, Salvacion 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 40-38, 64-61, 96-87.
Second game:
Talk n Text 101 _ Miller 20, Alapag 20, Pablo 16, Telan 15, Ravena 9, de Ocampo 8, Gelig 4, Camaso 4, Fran 3, Belano 2, Salangsang 0.
Shell 89 _ Mamaril 22, de la Cruz 16, Alvarez 12, Calaguio 9, Cruz 8, Yap 6, Sta. Maria 5, Ferreria 4, Soto 4, Jackson 2, Bajar 1, Tubid 0.
Quarters: 26-15, 50-36, 78-65, 101-89.
