Ginebra bounces back and keeps GlobalPort winless

MANILA, Philippines – “It’s not how you start but how you finish that matters” is one of the most cliché statements in basketball. But it holds true for Friday night’s game between GlobalPort Batang Pier and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. 

At the much smaller Cuneta Astrodome, where on-court player yells and coaches’ sideline instructions are much more audible, Ginebra shook off a cold start and managed to keep the Batang Pier at bay, 113-107, to recover from their sorry loss against San Mig Coffee and rise to 2-2 in the PLDT myDSL Commissioner’s Cup. 

Bonbon Custodio gave GlobalPort a 20-6 lead in the first on the tails of an early offensive explosion courtesy of Evan Brock, Alex Cabagnot, and Terrence Romeo. 

But the Gin Kings erased it right away with triples from Mark Caguioa, Mac Baracael and Jayjay Helterbrand to make a ballgame of it just before the first frame ended with GlobalPort ahead 28-25.

It wasn’t until the second that Ginebra finally got a taste of the lead on two charities from Billy Mamaril, 39-38.

Japeth Aguilar (10 points, 12 rebounds) stole the halftime advantage, 53-52, by slamming the rock home at the buzzer to clean up Helterbrand’s missed three-pointer. 

Caguioa and Helterbrand took over for Ginebra in crucial stretches as GlobalPort stuck like a leech to the Gin Kings, desperately wanting to experience a first win this conference. 

The two veterans ran on seemingly fresher legs with Caguioa, in particular, being on the forefront of aggression with a double-double 15 markers and 14 boards. Helterbrand finished with 14 points. 

The energy was palpable in the first 3 cantos, with GlobalPort constantly pounding on Ginebra’s door with a couple of spurts including a 9-0 run midway in the third to inch closer, 75-72.

Leon Rodgers, however, extended the lead once again with a three-point play, 78-72. 

Rodgers noticeably played the point for several stretches of the game. Agustin said this was part of their strategy. 

“Nag game plan kami para hindi maka-pressure yung guards ng GlobalPort,” explained head coach Ato Agustin. “Pinagdala namin ng bola yung big guys namin. And also Rodgers plays the point minsan.” (That was our game plan so GlobalPort’s guards won’t be able to pressure us. We had our big guys carry the ball. And also Rodgers plays the point sometimes.)  

Rodgers paced Ginebra with 33 points and 13 rebounds amid visibly communicating and imposing leadership on the court for his team. He even tried sorting out plays with playmaker LA Tenorio in the fourth. 

Things quickly cooled down in the payoff period as both teams sagged and lost their respective rhythms. 

Both teams couldn’t properly execute plays, leaving the game still up for grabs towards the end. Rodgers gave Ginebra some cushion down the stretch with a long jumper, 104-97, with 1:38 left on the clock. But the Batang Pier hung on for dear life as Romeo swished in a basket from rainbow country and came to within 109-106 with 27 ticks left. 

But steady hands at the stripe for Tenorio, Chris Ellis and Rodgers put the game out of reach for GlobalPort, who still could not catch a break, lurking at the bottom of the standings at 0-5. 

“Lahat nag-contribute dito,” Agustin said. “Gusto manalo eh and yung communication sa loob andoon.” (Everyone contributed. They wanted to win and there was communication inside the court.)

Ginebra could have easily lost this game through their 20 turnovers, which translated to 30 points for the Batang Pier. But the 64-50 rebound disparity and 20 second-chance points were good enough to carry them through. 

Brock had a game-high 36 points along with 17 boards, 3 dimes, two steals and a block. 

Cabagnot chipped in 16, while Mark Macapagal made good on 3 triples for his 14 points. 

Between Kelly Nabong’s ripped jersey, Caguioa briefly mopping the floor, and coach Pido Jarencio instructing his players to zip it, the physicality was kept in check for both sides as free throw attempts rose to the 30s and 40s.  

Though Ginebra won the battle from the 15-foot line, going 35-of-46, while GlobalPort went 24-of-34.  

Scores: 

Ginebra 113: Rodgers 33, Caguioa 15, Helterbrand 14, Tenorio 11, Aguilar 10, Baracael 9, Mamaril 7, Ellis 6, Slaughter 5, Urbiztondo 2, Reyes 1.

GlobalPort 107: Brock 36, Cabagnot 16, Macapagal 14, Matias 10, Romeo 10, Washington 7, Nabong 4, Ponferrada 4, Chua 2, Garcia 2, Custodio 2, Salva 0, Salvador 0 

Quarter scores: 25-28, 53-52, 87-78, 113-107.  – Rappler.com