The Kings Bid Goodbye to the All Filipino Cup Conference

It was a do or die Sunday between the Barangay Ginebra Kings (BGK) and the San Miguel Beermen (SMB). Whoever wins the ballgame will advance to the Semis and battle with the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters (TNT).

All game long, BGK commands the ballgame. And it was all because of the beyond the arc shots. I then began to admire BGK more, with a depleted line up, it was really all the heart of a champion thay they are using to fight tonight's ballgame. JayJay Helterbrand, who is quoted as 'due for explosion' by Quinito Henson, really exploded, allowing the BGK to have a 21-point lead against the star-studded SMB.

It was not only Helterbrand's 3 points shots, Paul Artadi, JunJun Cabatu, and Sunday Salvacion also had their 3 pointers that made all things happen for the Kings. And while they had their 3 points shots, Chris Pacana, Billy Mamaril, and Junthy Valenzuela fearlessly drives their way to the basket to contribute.

All the while, it was all BGK. But DonDon Hontiveros become unstoppable from the 3 point arc as well. He hit back to back 3s together with Lordy Tugade and Mic Pennisi. They where able to catch up and trim the lead down to only 3 points at the end of the 3rd Quarter.

BGK and SMB had shown a great series of the Quarter Finals. Everybody's on their feet in the ending minutes of the pay off period. Less than a minute left, SMB leads by only 4 points. BGK still has the chance to regain the lead, if not, at least extend the regulation period. But, I really don't understand why BGK DO NOT defend the last play of the SMB, allowing SMB to have a 6-point lead with only 24 seconds remaining. My sister uttered, if it was in NBA, anything could still happen. And I uttered, if it was Purefoods TJ Giants (PF), an overtime will push through, as what they did against TNT last October 31, 2008.

Salvacion hit a 3 point to cut the lead down to 3. But, the seconds are too much in favor of SMB. It was a sorry loss for the Kings. When I thought they almost made it. But nonetheless, I still can proudly say, thay their hearts are bigger than SMB. And Ronald Tubid's heart is a lot bigger than Hontiveros'.

The Kings bid goodbye to the All Filipino Cup Conference (AFC). And so, I bid goodbye to PBA for now. I have no more reason to watch PBA, no PF, no BGK. See you next conference!


The scores:


San Miguel 98 -- Hontiveros 34, Custodio 13, Tugade 11, Seigle 9, Washington 8, Villanueva 7, Pennisi 5, Pena 4, Pingris 3, Baguion 2, racela 2, Gonzales 0.

Ginebra 93 -- Helterbrand 30, Salvacion 17, Menk 9, Mamaril 8, Tubid 7, Pacana 6, Artadi 6, Wilson 6, Valenzuela 4, Escalona 0, Cabatu 0.

Quarterscores: 14-22, 36-49, 67-70, 98-93