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28 March 2024

Ginebra sets up Finals match against Alaska

Picture credit: barangayginebra.net

Published
By Choy Navarro

Crowd favourite Barangay Ginebra has set up a Finals clash against Alaska Milk, as it thumped Talk ‘N’ Text, 111-103, in their semis series on Monday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, in Cubao, Quezon City.

“It was the fourth do-or-die game survived by Ginebra in the mid-season tourney and this one enabled it to wrap up the best-of-five semifinals, 3-2, and earn the right to face early qualifier Alaska in a similar race-to-three title duel starting Wednesday,” PBA, or Philippine Basketball Association, said on its website.

LA Tenorio became the biggest man on court for the Gin Kings, as he finished with 28 points, 12 of which he posted in the fourth period, leading his team to its 20th title series in the history of their popular franchise.

Vernon Macklin finished with 22 points and 20 rebounds while Mac Baracael played his best so far with Ginebra, making eight triples.

Kerby Raymundo and Jay-Jay Helterbrand also registered double-digits, adding 28 points for the Gin Kings between them.

Tony Mitchel led the Tropang Texters with 42 points while Jason Castro fouled out, but not before raking in 15 points.

Having had some of the good Texters missing last night, however, made life for the Gin Kings easier and smoother.

Ranidel de Ocampo, for instance, was not able to play as he was nursing a swollen calf he got late in Game 4 via a wayward knee from Rudy Hatfield.

The 2008 MVP awardee Jimmy Alapag played only briefly as he was hobbled by a calf injury, putting him on the bench for the last two quarters.

“I give it to Talk ‘N’ Text for fighting hard even though they were missing several men,” Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua said, as quoted by the ‘Philippine Daily Inquirer’.

Chua gave the fans a treat, sending in Gin Kings star Mark Caguioa with 34.5 seconds left even after he knew that victory was on hand, delighting the pro-Ginebra crowd.

PBA said, “The reigning MVP, who has been sidelined 11 games by a left medial collateral ligament injury, celebrated his return by sinking two charities off Ali Peek’s foul and was holding up the ball when the final buzzer sounded.”

Scoreboard:

Barangay Ginebra (Gin Kings) 111 – Tenorio 28, Macklin 22, Baracael 21, Helterbrand 15, Raymundo 13, Hatfield 6, Urbiztondo 3, Caguioa 2, Ellis 1, Mamaril 0.

Talk ‘N’ Text (Tropang Texters) 103 – Mitchell 42, Castro 15, Peek 11, Reyes 10, Ferriols 9, Aban 8, Fonacier 3, Al-Hussaini 2, Carey 2, Raymundo 1, Gamalinda 0, Alvarez 0, Alapag 0.

Quarterscores: 27-18, 61-41, 78-69, 111-103