Credits: NewsFlash.org
SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson - Another banner crowd is expected to jam the Araneta Coliseum tonight as Barangay Ginebra and Air21 slug it out in Game 4 of their best-of-7 duel for the PBA Fiesta Conference crown.
Over 16,000 fans trooped to the Big Dome for Games 1 and 3 so the trend is clear for a big throng to show up for what could be the turning point in the series. Game 2 was played at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Express leads, 2-1, and Ginebra’s back is against the wall. If Air21 takes Game 4, it’ll be the Express’ third victory in a row, meaning to salvage the title, the Kings must defy the odds in winning three straight to clinch in Game 7 – a tall order for the crowd favorites.
No doubt about it, Ginebra is in a must-win situation tonight. A win will knot the series count at 2-all and send it back to square one – a refreshing thought for coach Joseph Uichico who could use the extra days of rest for his tired charges. A loss will push Ginebra to the brink of elimination because crawling out of a 1-3 hole is next to impossible.
After handily winning Game 1 behind Chris Alexander’s 18 points and 25 rebounds, Ginebra hasn’t been the same. Point guard Jay-Jay Helterbrand hurt his hamstring in the third period of Game 2 as Air21 capitalized on his no-show to hammer out a convincing 124-90 rout. Then, in Game 3 last Sunday, Ginebra kept it close and showed the way in the first three periods only to collapse down the stretch in yielding a 97-87 verdict without Helterbrand in uniform.
* * *
Air21 coach Bo Perasol exploited Ginebra’s lack of depth in the backcourt and used a three-guard combination in Gary David, Niño Canaleta and Arwind Santos to finish off the Kings in a fiery fourth quarter surge. With Helterbrand and Ronald Tubid out of commission, Uichico tried to slow down the pace using a big lineup. The trick of keeping the scores low nearly paid off except in the closing minutes, it was evident the Express had more air in reserve than Ginebra.
It was Canaleta who made the difference in the payoff period as he buried four triples off Ginebra’s crumbling defensive rotation. Because Steve Thomas repeatedly scored in Alexander’s face, the Kings gambled on double-teaming the Air21 import, leaving Canaleta unmarked.
But all is not lost for Ginebra. The good news for Uichico is Junthy Valenzuela, a playoff veteran, has still to explode in the series. He scored 12 points in Game 1 but was limited to only two in Game 2 and seven in Game 3. Then, there is Eric Menk’s reemergence as an inside threat. Menk hit a conference-high 17 points in Game 3. If he keeps it up, it’ll be easier for Alexander to operate down low. Alexander will enjoy a field day sweeping the offensive glass on the weak side whenever Menk misses.
How Uichico adjusts his starting lineup is crucial. In Game 3, he started Paul Artadi at point guard, Mark Caguioa at offguard, Valenzuela at small forward, Menk at power forward and Alexander at center. In Game 4, he could start Chris Pacana at point guard, Caguioa at offguard, Sunday Salvacion at small forward, Rafi Reavis or Billy Mamaril at power forward and Alexander at center. That way, Pacana can establish Ginebra’s defense early with Valenzuela coming off the bench as his reliever.
* * *
When the going gets rough, Valenzuela could play point guard alongside Caguioa with Artadi and Menk leading the second unit charge. It’s important that Ginebra has a strong core of relievers to keep fresh legs on the court because Air21 thrives in transition. Artadi’s spark will provide continuity for Ginebra while Menk will fuel the Kings’ power attack.
The key for Ginebra is Alexander’s aggressiveness. If he performs like he did in Game 1, there’s no way Thomas can outplay him. Alexander, however, is more effective when there is motion in Ginebra’s offense. Giving the ball to Alexander and expecting him to inch his way close to the hole for scoring position won’t get it done because Air21 isn’t about to allow him the space to move in.
Air21 dominated the boards, 63-49, in Game 3. Still, Ginebra was in the thick of things until Canaleta erupted in the fourth period. The Kings learned a bitter lesson last Sunday – you don’t win a game by controlling the first three periods.
Uichico is no stranger to adversity. He knows what’s at stake. He understands his predicament. It’s almost a do-or-die situation for Ginebra. Win or lose, the Kings will fight until the bitter end because that’s their legacy to the fans – they’re the never-say-die team.
Postscript. The PBA’s average paid attendance this conference is 6,405 and should increase as the finals extends. Average sales per game is P482,611.19 as of last Friday. Sources said the league overshot its revenue target of P22 million by P2 million at the end of the eliminations. The overall conference target is P28 million which has probably been surpassed by now, what with the burgeoning ticket sales in the wildcard series, quarterfinals, semifinals and so far in the finals. No wonder commissioner Sonny Barrios has been grinning ear to ear lately. He’s got every reason to be pleased with the league’s performance in his first full conference as permanent commissioner.
Chris Pacana