Ginebra bucks pesky Barako Bull in overtime

MANILA, Philippines – After a heartbreaking finish in the Philippine Cup, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel did not particularly look too energetic compared to a gritty Barako Bull Energy Cola side. 

But the Kings were able to buck a sluggish game with a late surge of energy in the final seconds of regulation and all through the extra 5 minutes in overtime to escape the Energy, 108-104, in the 2014 PLDT Home TVolusion Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, March 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.  

Ginebra, down by 3, 93-90, forced overtime thanks to a Chris Ellis game-tying triple with 7 seconds on the clock after the Kings muffed two prior possessions. 

Barako import Joshua Dollard hit a triple from the right wing with 1:20 left to build the 3-point 93-90 edge. 

Both squads then upped the tempo and level of play in overtime with Ellis continuing his offensive explosion with another go-ahead trey, 99-98, with 2:51 left in overtime. 

Dollard then answered with a basket before Japeth Aguilar slammed another one home for the lead once again, 101-100. 

Ginebra import Leon Rodgers, 33, stretched the lead to 103-101 on a dunk as Dollard, 27, scored his 45th and final point on a split from the line.  

The 6-foot-8 Dollard subsequently fouled out with 1:26 remaining, amassing 45 points and grabbing 18 rebounds along with 3 assists, a steal and 4 blocks. 

A technical free throw by Rodgers, after Barako was called for excessive timeouts with 31.9 seconds left, effectively shut the door on the Energy as they went down 105-102.  

“Yung breaks went to our side, especially yung crucial ones before overtime,” said Ginebra head coach Ato Agustin, adding that they are trying to adapt a new system. 

“We’re trying to do some new system here, yung nag-iba yung plays,” he said. (The breaks went to our side especially the crucial ones before overtime. We’re trying to do some new system here where the plays are different.”

He explained they are adapting some of assistant coach Juno Sauler’s plays. Sauler was seen designing the plays during timeouts, even the final play in regulation and those in overtime. 

“Lahat ng coaches nagtutulong-tulong, lahat ng ideas to change all plays na ginawa namin last conference,” he added. (All the coaches are chipping in, all ideas to change all the plays we did last conference.)

Both teams stayed within striking distance of each other throughout the contest, with Barako hanging on to a hairline 52-51 lead at the break. 

While for most of the third and the final frame it was Ginebra trying to overturn the Energy. The latter led by two to 4 points at multiple junctures as Ginebra relied on the leadership of Mark Caguioa to catch up.  

Back-to-back triples by Mick Pennisi, who finished with 12 points, early in the payoff period made it 78-75. 

Ginebra made good on their passing as they clocked in 26 assists, led by primary maker LA Tenorio who had 14 dimes.

Japeth Aguilar scored 9 points in the second half for a total of 14, while Greg Slaughter had 12 markers and 7 boards. 

Ellis, who was on fire in the first half, finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds. 

Rodgers paced the Kings with 31 points and 8 rebounds. 

Meanwhile, rookie Carlo Lastimosa also chipped in 10 markers for Barako. 

Scores:

Ginebra 108: Rodgers 31, Ellis 17, Aguilar 14, Slaughter 12, Caguioa 12, Tenorio 9, Reyes 8, Mamaril 3, Urbiztondo 2, Baracael 0, Monfort 0. 

Barako Bull 104: Dollard 45, Pennisi 12, Lastimosa 10, Intal 7, Miranda 7, Wilson 6, Buenafe 6, Jensen 5, Fortuna 5, Pena 1, Deutchman 0, Isip 0, Miller 0, Marcelo 0. 

Quarter scores: 22-23, 51-52, 73-70, 93-93, 108-104 

– Rappler.com