MANILA: Jong Uichico has but one wish for the coming New Year.
“Hopefully we can get back our injured players, so we can keep on improving,” the mild-mannered Barangay Ginebra coach said last night, moments after a 106-97 victory over Coca-Cola in the Philippine Cup eliminations at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“That’s what I am hoping for next year.” Uichico is making that wish because he knows how tough the grind ahead will be for his Gin Kings, who improved to 9-6 with the victory and remained mathematically in the hunt for an automatic semifinal seat.
JC Intal gave the Kings the offensive lift that they needed last night as the former Ateneo ace scattered a career-high 20 points that included several highlight reel plays to the delight of a large, pro-Ginebra crowd.
Ronald Tubid added 18 markers and Willie Wilson 16 and 11 boards as the Kings broke away in the third quarter and dealt the Tigers a first loss in their last three games.
Coca-Cola dropped to 3-12 in the standings but remained in ninth place, still a full game ahead of idle Barako Bull in the race for the final spot to the wildcard phase.
Dennis Espino hit 14 of his 21 points in the first half that’s why the Tigers were able to stay in the game.
But when the Kings poured on the heat in the third quarter, Espino and the rest of the squad struggled. Asi Taulava scored 17 points and Alex Cabagnot had 16 for the Tigers.
Uichico bared that gunslinger Mark Caguioa, Junthy Valenzuela and reigning MVP Jay-Jay Helterbrand have all started doing initial work toward their respective comebacks.
But he said he won’t be happy until he sees them all on the floor, and in 100% game shape.
“Things are positive at this point (as far as the three players are concerned),” Uichico said. “But until we see them playing, and 100% healthy, we can’t really say what will happen.” Ginebra stayed tied with sister team Purefoods for fourth spot with the victory, which came a couple of hours after the Tender Juicy Giants played stifling second half defense to repulse Burger King, 85-74.
Kerbv Raymundo scored 19 points and James Yap hit 10 of his 17 in the second period as the Tender Juicy Giants snapped a two-game losing streak.
Burger King dropped to 5-10.
Purefoods and Ginebra, despite their impressive victories, still don’t have their automatic semifinal fates resting in their hands with league-leading Alaska and San Miguel toting superior records at the moment.
The Aces and the Beermen have the Final Four within their respective reach, with Alaska needing just two wins in its final five games to advance and San Miguel just another victory shy of clinching a berth.
Ginebra and Purefoods have three games left in their respective elimination round schedules, but even if they sweep all of them and Alaska and San Miguel manage to win 13 games each, they would have to settle for the next best thing, and that
is an automatic quarterfinal berth.
“Of course, our aim is the top two,” Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio told reporters after their victory over the Whoppers. “It’s good for us to aim that high, because if we miss our target, we will land in the quarterfinals.” Purefoods held the Whoppers to 33 second half points as this victory followed the very same path as the squad’s first eight wins – holding their opponents below 80 points.
“Defense has been bailing us out a lot in this tournament, and it would have to continue for us if we hope to make it far,” Gregorio added.
Action takes a break in observance of the coming New Year and will resume on Jan. 6 at the Araneta Coliseum with a crucial double-header highlighted by the Talk ‘N Text versus Barangay Ginebra match at 7:30 p.m.
