Ginebra forces do-or-die game against San Mig
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings live to fight for another day. With their backs against the wall, the Kings swept the ruf from under the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers for a 94-91 win in Game 6 of the 2014 PLDT my DSL PBA Philippine Cup.
With Ginebra down by one late in the ball game, James Yap was called for a loose ball foul against Mark Caguioa who went to the line for two free throws. The Mixers then drew up a play for PJ Simon but his one hander went directly into the hands of Greg Slaughter. The big man was then fouled and made his free throws.
Yap went up for a desperation three from way beyond the three point line but it was way short.
Caguioa led the Kings with 21 points while Slaughter added 20. LA Tenorio bounced back from the miserable ending in Game 5 to score 16 points.
Marc Pingris scratched and clawed his way to 20 points in the game while Simon added 17 but the Mixers sorely lacked help from Joe Devance who only played 15 minutes due to a leg injury.
Game 7 will be on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The presence of living legend Robert Jaworski was not enough to power the Kings to the start they wanted. After falling behind 24-22 in the first quarter, Ginebra allowed the Mixers to score at will.
The Kings had six turnovers in the second quarter, which led to six fastbreak points for San Mig Super Coffee. The Mixers held a 50-41 lead at the half.
Mark Barroca led the Mixers with 10 points at the half while Ian Sangalang and PJ Simon had eight apiece. Ginebra, on the other hand, was led by Greg Slaughter who also had 10 markers while LA Tenorio backed him up with eight.
Jaworski then walked into the Ginebra dugout for a pep talk at the half.
The Kings teased comebacks in the third quarter. They got to within two points at 70-68 after a triple from Jayjay Helterbrand with a minute left in the quarter. However, Simon replied with two free throws to get San Mig’s lead back up to four points.
Tenorio finished the third with a huge triple to bring the Kings within one at 74-73, heading into the payoff period.
The Main Man: Mark Caguioa proved once more that he is the heart and soul of the Ginebra franchise. With the game nothing much going on for the Kings, Caguioa pounded the ball down low against the defense of Justin Melton. Caguioa kept the Kings' heads above water and he also gave the go-ahead points late in the fourth after he was fouled by Yap.
Honorable Mention: Slaughter had a hard time defending Pingris in the low block but he scored when it mattered most. A wild basket against Rafi Reavis and the last two free throws of the game allowed Ginebra to survive their second do-or-die game of the conference.
Game Turning Point: After Mark Barroca missed on a potential dagger, Caguiao grabbed the rebound as the Kings tried to set their play up. However, Yap pressured him in the backcourt and prompted the referee to call a foul. Caguioa then calmly sank two free throws to give Ginebra a 92-91 lead with only 16.2 ticks left.
He Said It
Ginebra coach Ato Agustin: We played great defense especially in the in the third quarter. I told them be patient. Let's cut the lead slowly. Luckily, the breaks went to our side. We needed to pressure. We needed to be aggressive. Kailangan na naming ibigay lahat.
The scores:
GINEBRA 94 - Caguioa 21, Slaughter 20, Tenorio 16, Aguilar 13, Baracael 9, Helterbrand 5, Ellis 4, Reyes 4, Mamaril 2, Monfort 0, Urbiztondo 0.
SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 91 - Pingris 20, Simon 17, Barroca 14, Sangalang 12, Reavis 9, Yap 9, Melton 5, Devance 3, Mallari 2, De Ocampo 0.
Quarter scores: 22-24, 41-50, 73-74, 94-91
