Chua relishes never-say-die ride with Kings

MANILA, Philippines – Despite getting swept in the Finals, Brgy. Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua relishes the ride he had with the Kings in his first conference back in coaching.

Their never-say-die spirit was not enough to complete their Cinderella run as their bodies did not cooperate.

“It’s a wonderful ride from 0-4 to Finals. Pagod na talaga eh,” Chua said. “Siguro kung yung championship eh five minutes, five minutes lang, kaya pa namin.”

But despite the sweep, Chua said the team has nothing to be ashamed of. Even Alaska Aces head coach Luigi Trillo acknowledged that it could have been a lot different if the Kings were healthy.

“Credit to Ginebra,” Trillo said. Macklin may injury, Mark (Caguioa) not 100 percent. It was a different Ginebra team.”

“I asked the team, including the coaching staff, na lahat kami ang tatanggap ng runner up trophy. I know it’s 3-0 pero masarap lang ang feeling kasi ‘di mo akalain na makakapasok kami dito sa Finals. I told them to be be proud kasi yung dinanas namin is classic,” Chua said.

The Kings’ rise this conference was a classic never-say-die Ginebra story.

They started the conference at the bottom with a 0-4 record. But things started to change when Macklin came in and provided the energy they never got in Herbert Hill as the Kings rolled to six straight wins despite Mark Caguioa falling to an MCL injury along the way.

Without their scoring and emotional leader, Chua resurrected the careers of Kerby Raymundo and Jayjay Helterbrand.

“Sa dami ng napagdaanan ng team na ‘to. Marami tayong nabuhay na player. Nabuhay si Kerby Raymundo. Bumalik ang laro ni Jayjay Helterbrand. Marami pa tayong napasikat na player that’s why I’m still happy [despite the loss],” Chua said.

Both veterans, who were perceived to be on the twilight of their storied careers, turned back the hands of time and averaged in twin digits in scoring to help LA Tenorio fill the oid left by Caguioa. 

Chua said the team will take a rest and will resume practice on July 15 with a new import in Dior Lowhorn, who recently played for the Saigon Heat in the Asean Basketball League, for the season-ending Governor’s Cup.