Barangay Ginebra’s burly import attacked the rim without relent Sunday night, got awarded with 27 free-throw attempts, and finished with a season-high 45 points, and the Kings outworked the Nationals for a 110-103 Game 2 win to move on the verge of a finals berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Colizeum.
Brumfield collected more output at the stripe than those he made from the field (23-22), and his cracks alone at the free-throw line matched the total of what Smart-Gilas had for the game as Ginebra asserted once more its playoff experience over youth and talent in a series the Kings were anticipated to go through the proverbial eye of the needle in order to win.
“That was the plan. Get them (Nationals) to penalty and make the free throws,” Brumfield said.
The Kings have now surprisingly stormed to a 2-0 lead a rival team overcame only on three occasions in the past, the last the Kings themselves in the 2009-10 Philippine Cup quarterfinals against Talk ‘N Text.
And at the way the Nationals have been outworked and outhustled, Ginebra may just zoom to the best-of-seven championships without giving Smart-Gilas a single taste of victory in this Final Four stage the Nationals got into after finishing with the second-best record (7-2, win-loss).
Jong Uichico, the Ginebra coach, however, said that things are far from over, and the Nationals are far from being done.
“We have to keep our emotions down,” said Uichico. “We still have a job to do. There’s no reason to celebrate. Every point and every stop is going to be a grind. Hopefully we get this series. It doesn’t matter when.”
Uichico, though, will have to concern himself today with a meeting with Commissioner Chito Salud. Uichico was summoned by the PBA for issuing negative remarks on national television over the officiating in the first quarter, the only time the Nationals were in control.
Philippine Cup champion Talk ‘N Text likewise seized a 2-0 lead in its own semifinals series against Air21, practically taking the Express’ confidence apart in the opening period on the way to an easy 114-96 win.
The Tropang Texters, seeking to become the first franchise since Ginebra in 2005 to win back-to-back championships, outscored the Express 28-11 in the first period and never looked back, a performance that even drew praises from opposing head coach Bong Ramos.
Talk ‘N Text led by as large as 27 points, 46-19 in the second period.
“I’m happy for Talk ‘N Text,” said Ramos. “They’re still hungry to win. The way they played tonight and for two games only showed na talagang pang-championship ang team nila.”
Talk ‘N Text, which has yet to win a conference with imports, shot 53.1 percent from the field (43-of-81), outscored the opponent in open-court points, and pulled down more rebounds, 57-42, against a team that has returned in a familiar situation but one in which the Express shine best.
“We’re back in the same situation,” said Ramos. “We won do-or-die games in the eliminatons, we won do-or-die games in the quarterfinals against Alaska, and who knows? Only God knows.”
Chot Reyes, the TNT head mentor, couldn’t agree more.
“They take pride in not losing do-or-die games,” said Reyes. “We have got to make sure that we come out with our best on Wednesday.”
Paul Harris shot a blazing 64.7 percent from the field on 11-of-17 shooting to wind up with a game-high 29 points, and Ryan Reyes and Jimmy Alapag added 15 points apiece. Reyes also had six rebounds while Alapag dished off seven assists.
The production of Brumfield, who also collected 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals, likewise ended up as the highest since Tony Washam, playing for Purefoods, had 49 points on July 18 in the 2010 Fiesta Conference game against Ginebra.
Mark Caguioa added 18 points and eight rebounds, and Ronald Tubid had 10 for Ginebra, which last won a championship in the 2007-08 Fiesta Conference with Chris Alexander.
