MANILA: Jong Uichico strode into the press room for the customary winning coach’s interview, wearing just a slight smile and sounding worrisome.
It was very untypical for someone who coached his team to a 1-0 lead in a championship series, but definitely very common for one who trailed by 10 early and then almost saw a 20-point lead wiped out.
Barangay Ginebra fashioned out a 105-96 decision of Air21 last night, but not after going through some anxious moments against the hard-fighting Express, who didn’t throw in the towel at the start of their Fiesta Cup title series at the Araneta Coliseum. “Winning (Game 1) is very important, because you give the other team the burden of adjusting,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico later. “At the same time, we have the luxury to also make adjustments even if we have the lead (in the series).”
Mark Caguioa came off the bench to shoot nine of his 22 points in the second period, and Chris Alexander was awesome with 18 markers, 25 rebounds and five blocks as the Kings drew first blood. Ginebra has not lost for more than two months, last night’s win being the Kings’ 13th straight dating back to the eliminations.
Playing in the first title series in franchise history, Air21 felt the jitters after opening up with a 10-0 lead, an advantage which the Kings erased with ease as Ginebra closed out the first period with a 25-19 lead.
Paul Artadi gave Ginebra’s offense the boost it needed early, but had to be carried off the floor after pulling his left hamstring while going for a fastbreak lay-up in the waning seconds of the first period.
“What happened was, we started very well because we were so fired up,” said losing coach Bo Perasol, exhibiting confidence despite being blown off the court. “We just failed to sustain it.
“I think, after a while, the boys figured out that they are in the Finals, and it has a very different atmosphere,” he added. “But I think we will be (a) much better (team) in the second game.”
The crucial second game is scheduled tomorrow at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Air21 actually made its first three shots and four of its first six for that 10-0 lead, which silenced a pro-Ginebra sellout at the Big Dome.
But once the Ginebra offense started humming, the crowd got involved and nerves just took the better of the Express, the elimination round topnotchers who have been labeled as the decided underdogs in this series.
A huge chunk of the reason why Ginebra won with conviction was the 7-foot-1 Alexander, who totally outplayed Steven Thomas.
Alexander, who has loomed as the favorite for the Best Import award, challenged every shot inside the paint and changed a number of Thomas’ attempts.
Thomas made just eight-of-21 attempts from the field and was terribly outrebounded after snaring just 16 boards.
It was an aspect of the game that Perasol said would have to be corrected.
“I have to admit it, Alexander outplayed Steve tonight,” Perasol said.
“He (Thomas) just has to do a better job (in the next game).”
Eric Menk, who scored 12 points, joined the elite club of 5,000-point scorers during the game, becoming the 59th member. His jumper from the left corner with 6:56 remaining gave the Kings a 64-44 advantage.
It was all Ginebra from there as the Express’ best effort was cut that deficit down to six late in the fourth, at a time when the Kings had complete command of the contest with only the final score left to be determined.
Meanwhile, Red Bull won the battle for the crumbs earlier after posting a 102-90 victory over Magnolia for third place.
Red Bull finished third for the third straight tournament and fourth overall in its PBA history.
Import Adam Parada scored a PBA career-high 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Leo Najorda also played his best offensive game in three years as a pro, shooting 15 of his 22 points in the breakaway second period for Red Bull.
“It was the best consolation after a tough series with (Barangay) Ginebra,” coach Yeng Guiao said later. “It was the least we could do. At least, we finished third for the season and it’s not bad for a team like ours.”
Red Bull started out cold and trailed early, needing that big explosion by the 6-foot-4 Najorda in the second canto to gain control.
The Barako closed out the first behind by six, but entered the third with a five-point lead. They ended the third period, where Parada scored 11 and Cyrus Baguio 10 of his 15, ahead by 15 points, 85-70.
