Gin Kings guard vows all-out war

MANILA, Philippines - Barangay Ginebra starting point guard and soon-to-be-father Rob Labagala is looking forward to a happy holiday season but if the Kings don’t beat Rain Or Shine in Game 2 of their best-of-three quarterfinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo tonight, it won’t be a Merry Christmas for the league’s crowd darlings. That’s not all. If the Kings beat the Elasto Painters tonight and force a winner-take-all duel on Friday, it still won’t be a Merry Christmas unless they advance to the semifinals against Powerade.

Labagala, 27, has started in 11 of the 14 games he played so far for Ginebra this conference, averaging 4.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 18.1 minutes. In the Kings’ 88-83 win over Barako Bull last Dec. 8, the former University of the East standout hit a pro career-high 14 points.

“Our promise to Ginebra fans is we’ll give it everything we’ve got to win Game 2 tonight and Game 3 on Friday,” said Labagala in Pilipino through his father Edgar. “We’re going to kill ourselves trying to win. It’ll be an all-out war. They’ll pass through the eye of a needle to beat us.”

Despite his size, the 5-9, 150-pound Labagala said he’s not afraid of matching up against bigger Rain Or Shine guards like Paul Lee, Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan. “I’ve learned to play physical if I have to,” he continued. “I’m used to contact. My role is to orchestrate, play defense and bring up the ball. All I want to do is to contribute. I’m the last guy to shoot. I don’t care about my points. The important thing is I’m able to help our team win.”

Labagala’s father, a project engineer with MRC Allied, said his son has never shied away from contact. “Rob started playing when he was six,” said his father. “I took him to my Sunsports Basketball Clinic in Talisay, Cebu, and he joined barangay tournaments as a boy. My most memorable moment in basketball was when I was the playing coach of the Barangay Tante team that won the Talisay Mayor’s Cup in 1984. My players included Jojo Lastimosa, Zaldy Realubit, Larry Villanil and Rudy Enterina. Whatever I knew about basketball, I taught Rob.”

Labagala was the Kings’ second round pick in the draft last year. He averaged 4.7 points in 19 games, including one start, and led the team in three-point percentage with a .481 clip as a rookie. Labagala sat out the first conference then was elevated to the regular lineup after a strong showing in a practice game against Smart Gilas.

“Rob never got frustrated,” recalled his father. “He worked hard at practice. Dondon Hontiveros, a fellow Cebuano, encouraged him to be patient. In his rookie season, he learned a lot from Willie Miller and assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos. Now, he gets a lot of advice from Jay-Jay Helterbrand and Mark Caguioa. He’s grateful that coach Siot (Tanquingcen) gave him the chance to start beside Mike Cortez. At first, Rob was offered short-term contracts like two or three months. He kept getting extended until finally, he was signed to a one-year contract. He’s determined to prove his worth. He knows he’s undersized but he plays with a big heart. If he gets hit, he won’t hit back. He’ll just play harder.”