Macklin tows Ginebra to upset of RoS, semis

MANILA, Philippines – Vernon Macklin, a 47-percent free-throw shooter, made two charities with 11.1 ticks left then blocked a shot as Barangay Ginebra completed a stirring upset of second seed Rain or Shine, squeezing out an 81-79 win to reach the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night.

The Kings overcame the Elasto Painters’ twice-to-beat advantage in their quarterfinals matchup and, thus, advanced to the best-of-five semifinals against the Talk n Text Tropang Texters.

“They underestimated us with all the injuries to our players. They failed to anticipate what our big heart can do,” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua.

“Yung morale at puso ng team nandiyan. Tatalunin kami pero duduguin sila (The morale and heart of the team are ingrained. They can beat us but they will have a hard time doing so),” added Chua, also hopeful of their chance against the Texters.

Paul Lee misfired what could have been a game-winning 3-pointer then Jeff Chan missed two putbacks, allowing the Kings to score a follow-up on their 90-83 win Sunday.

And thus Ginebra pulled off yet another steal, the third time it overcame a twice-to-beat playoffs disadvantage.

“We started 0-4 in the conference then we won six straight. After the third win, we’re tested with Mark Caguioa going down with an injury. We built character that helped us win this game,” said Chua.

“Sent to the line in the dying seconds, I knew Macklin can make it,” Chua also said.

Macklin did make both, and the Kings went ahead to stay.

The Ginebra import actually scored the game’s last four points, himself providing the coup de grace in a solid all-around performance marked by 24 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.

Completely outplayed was Bruno Sundov who made only 12 markers and six boards.

Nonetheless, Sundov caused the Kings some problem, pumping in back-to-back treys in a crucial 14-6 run the E-Painters unleashed to take a 79-76 lead with 2:40 left to play.

Alas, the E-Painters didn’t score a single point again.

As Lee muffed a 3-pointer then Chan missed an uncontested follow-up shot, the Ginebra bench and the huge Ginebra throngs erupted into frenzy.

Macklin outscored Sundov, 14-2, and the Ginebra shooters did better against their RoS counterparts as the Kings enjoyed a 44-41 lead at the half.

The Kings opened with a 13-5 run before the E-Painters worked on a 16-6 counterattack to set the tone of the battle.

Chris Ellis pumped in a trey then Macklin converted a reversed layup on an assist by LA Tenorio as Ginebra surged upfront, 44-39, with 46 ticks left in the opening half.