Ginebra's never-say-die spirit is willing but the body is tired

MANILA, Philippines – The Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel Kings have been chasing all conference long.

They’ve chased a playoff berth after dropping their first four games. They’ve chased a semifinals berth needing to win twice against the Governor’s Cup champion Rain or Shine. They’ve chased a finals berth needing to overcome a 1-2 series deficit against the Philippine Cup champion Talk n Text to advance here in the Cebuana Lhuillier PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Now, for one last time, they need to chase the championship that has been elusive for them in the last five years needing to win three in a row.

No question that they have the heart to overcome the odds. As Mark Caguioa, the team’s heart and soul have said it time and again, “we are not called the never-say-die team for nothing”. But the biggest question lies on whether they still have the legs to chase after it.

“Pang-limang do-or-die na namin ‘to. Ako, wala na akong masabi sa mga players ko. They’re giving their all. Mentally, they’re going to fight. But physically, I know they’re tired,” Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua lamented after the Kings lost Game 2 last night.

Chua has been using Caguioa, who is still recovering from an MCL injury, sparingly averaging only two points in the series while an ailing Vernon Macklin was rendered ineffective in Game 2 finishing with only eight points on just six shots.

“He’s [Vernon Macklin] hurting. Bugbog na bugbog na  â€˜yun. First game pa lang sa Talk n Text, tinamaan na yung thigh niya. Pinipilit na lang niya talaga. Kanina tinamaan ulit kaya paika-ika,” Chua explained.

The Kings have been playing almost every other day since the quarterfinals saved for the PBA All-Star Week break.  The wear and tear of chasing a championship that was far from imagination at the start of the conference is beginning to take its toll on the never-say-die team.  It has been a case of "the spirit is willing but the body is weak" for the Kings here in the Finals.

“They’re not satisfied being here. Kapag ang isang taong pagod na, kahit anong ibigay mong energy diyan… wala talaga. The only thing we can do is to push them. But lahat ng tao may limitation eh. Sunog na sunog na eh pero hindi bibigay ang mga yan,” Chua said of his boys. “I’m so proud of the team dahil hangga’t may pumapatak na oras, lumalaban pa rin sila. Wala na akong mahihiling pa.”

Despite giving up the advantage in bench depth to what he calls a “complete” Alaska team, Chua quickly dismissed the talk that they are done fighting.  

“Backs against the wall, dun kami magaling eh, we’ll try [on Sunday].  Ibibigay na lahat ng mga bata.”