The Slasher’s big shot

Rodney Santos converted only a single field goal in Barangay Ginebra’s 94-92 win over Red Bull in Game 1 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Conference Finals at the Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday.

But it was the shot that made the difference.

Santos, 31, nailed a 10-foot baseline jumper over Victor Thomas’ outstretched arm to regain the driver’s seat for the Kings with 22.8 ticks left. He had missed an open three-pointer on the previous play but Ginebra got the offensive rebound to set up the big shot.

The Barakos came from 22 points down in the first period to seize the lead, 92-91, on Enrico Villanueva’s jumphook off the glass and it looked like Red Bull had risen from the grave. That turned out to be the Barakos’ first and only lead in the entire game.

Red Bull has made resurrection a habit this conference. Who can forget the Barakos’ incredible comeback from a 25-point deficit to shock Shell, 83-82, in the knockout quarterfinal qualifiers? They did it again at San Miguel Beer’s expense in the quarters and at Coca-Cola’s expense in the semis.

Against the Tigers, Red Bull lost the best-of-3 series opener and had to win twice in a row to advance to the Finals. Coach Yeng Guiao’s boys got the job done.

So when the Barakos surged ahead with less than a minute to go in Game 1, the Ginebra throng went quiet. For a while, it looked like a repeat of the Shell finish.

Then came Santos’ big shot.

Of all the Kings, it’s Santos with the most recent taste of a championship. He played on four Alaska title squads, the last in 2000. So the Slasher is used to Finals pressure. It showed when he didn’t hesitate to drive and pop even after missing his last attempt.

And to think that Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen and Santos both applied for the PBA draft the same year. Santos was picked by Purefoods and Tanquingcen was one of only two ignored in the 1996 draft. Who would’ve imagined Santos playing for a team coached by the odd-man out eight years later?

Santos finished with four points, 1-of-4 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the line. He also had two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 18 minutes.

If Santos didn’t connect, the hero would’ve been Villanueva who turned 24 last June 23. Villanueva celebrated his birthday at a party last Monday.

"Enrico played excellent," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao. "He’s coming off an injury and he’s hardly practiced. But he played big for us." The sophomore frontliner compiled 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 31 solid minutes.

Ginebra’s hot start set the tone for Game 1. Mark Caguioa erupted for 16 of his 27 points in the first period as the Kings raced to an early 22-point lead. Red Bull’s prolific import Victor Thomas–who played 48 straight minutes–shot 16 of his 32 in the fourth quarter but fell short of working a miracle. At the buzzer, Thomas fired a triple which would’ve won it for Red Bull if it connected.

Ginebra won Game 1 because of sheer hustle and determination. The Kings forced Red Bull into 22 turnovers which they converted into 25 points. They had 14 steals compared to the Barakos’ five. Ginebra also managed to control Red Bull’s transition attack which produced only 10 fastbreak points.

The win was far from decisive and Ginebra was lucky to escape after squandering an early lead. The Kings had to be more relieved than happy with the outcome. Red Bull proved its resiliency by coming back strong and was by no means disgraced. In fact, more than Ginebra, Red Bull will play Game 2 tonight with momentum.

Red Bull is in a must-win situation. If the Barakos lose Game 2, they’ll be hard pressed to win three in a row. Besides, Guiao admitted Ginebra will be tough to beat in a do-or-die Game 5 because that’s when the crowd can become a factor. So the Barakos are convinced they’ve got to take Game 2 or else.

Tanquingcen deserves credit for staying calm down the stretch in Game 1 although he momentarily lost his cool by kicking the rolltech device at courtside after Torraye Braggs was whistled for what appeared to be incidental offensive contact on Mick Pennisi.

Guiao was similarly composed in the final few minutes even as he tried to fire up his boys in the last play.

Both coaches had nothing much to complain about officiating which was fair and above par. Even the outspoken Guiao described the officiating in Game 1 as "decent."

In Game 2, Ginebra can’t afford to play loose. The Kings may lapse into a false state of security because of their 1-0 advantage. For sure, Red Bull will come out with all guns blazing like it did in smoking to a 16-0 start in Game 2 of the Coca-Cola series. If momentum is on the Barakos’ side, the Kings must stem the tide and hang tough. If Ginebra isn’t careful, the Kings could get blown out in Game 2. If Red Bull wins tonight and the series is reduced to a best-of-3 affair, anything can happen.