Manila, Philippines - Never say never.
Barangay Ginebra sizzled with its never-say-die spirit and lived for Game Six as the Gin Kings hurdled another do-or-die dilemma, stopping the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 100-93, in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup title showdown at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
The fiery Gin Kings spoiled an expected Friday night party by the Tropang Texters and their yellow-clad followers with their patented back-against-the-wall stand to narrow the gap to 2-3 in their best-of-seven playoff.
Starters Nate Brumfield, Mark Caguioa, Rudy Hatfield, JC Intal and Mike Cortez all delivered double-digit outputs as the Kings forced a showdown for a nightcap of a sporting treat for Filipino fans beginning with Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight in Las Vegas.
“We stayed alive but it’s just hard to look far forward. We got the job done tonight and we’ll try to get the job done again tomorrow,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
“Nothing to celebrate about. It’s just a game, and we’ll face another uphill battle in Game Six,” Uichico said.
Talk n Text coach Chot Reyes said they missed their first shot at closing out the series as his troops lacked the energy in the contest.
“We only had four fast break points. Namasyal yata sa Luneta ang players ko (My team seemed to have strolled around Luneta),” rued Reyes.
“Hopefully, we recover in practice and return to the game playing with energy. Without that, we’re a mediocre team,” Reyes said.
The Talk n Text mentor specifically mentioned import Tony Harris and his two-guards Ryan Reyes and Larry Fonacier being totally outclassed by their Ginebra counterparts.
Brumfield sizzled with 26 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as against Harris’ 15 points and five rebounds.
Caguioa logged 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds, Hatfield contributed 12 points and nine rebounds while Cortez and Intal chipped in 10 points each.
The four Gin Kings stayed fresh throughout, and beat out the Texters in the payoff period.
Ginebra, which also hurdled a knockout game against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals, sealed the win as Cortez hit a triple after a crucial Talk n Text error, making it 98-90 entering the final minute of the contest.
The Texters battled back to within 90-95 only to reel back again with three straight turnovers, enabling the Kings pull away at the finish.
Talk n Text dictated the tempo most of the opening half but Ginebra hung on, surging ahead, 39-38, at the half on a 5-0 closing run by Rob Labagala and Brumfield.
The Texters threatened to break away early as they opened an eight-point lead at 26-18 but Caguioa and Brumfield stopped them on their tracks, working on a run that sent the Kings on top at 28-27.
Brumfield had near double-double numbers right in the first half with 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Texters set the pace early on as they hit 50-percent of their shots, including 3-of-6 three-point clip in the first quarter.
Curiously, the two teams finished with similar 3-of-8 three-point shooting in the first 24 minutes of play.