by Jonas Terrado
Game Today (Mall of Asia Arena)
7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Star
(Series tied 2-2)
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, which appears to have momentum on its side, is bracing for another dogfight with the Star Hotshots when they dispute the 3-2 lead tonight in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Winning two straight after falling 0-2 in the series, Ginebra enters tonight’s 7 p.m. match as favorites to overtake a Hotshots team that will like to display more composure after obviously showing their frustration over the calls made in Wednesday’s 93-86 loss at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Hotshots were left dismayed after they were given 36 fouls against 18 from Ginebra, drawing the ire of coach Chito Victolero who in the fourth quarter was given a technical foul for excessive complaining.
If that wasn’t enough, Allein Maliksi prompted to express his disgust over the apparent one-sided calls through action, gesturing as if he was cooking something after being whistled with a foul in the game’s closing seconds.
Marc Pingris, Star’s undisputed leader, upped the ante after talking with reporters, taking a page out of his father-in-law/comedian Vic Sotto’s hat and jokingly said: “Manood pala kayo ng movie ko ha, ‘The Cooking Show’.”
Gestures, double-meanings, and whatever ways to ripped at officials aside, the Hotshots are just hoping to overcome that adversity and regain the form that made them win Games 1 and 2 in resilient fashion.
Victolero, who opted to hide his frustrations verbally to the media afterwards, urged his team to play with a positive attitude.
“Siguro kailangan lang namin mag-adjust dun sa emotions namin. It’s about composure,” said Victolero. “We need to stay together, stay positive. Madami kaming dinaan this conference, it’s about building character.”
Other than that, Star is looking to improve on some aspects, particularly making Paul Lee get out of his 7-of-27 shooting in the last two games. Lee scored just nine
Meanwhile, Kelly Williams delivered a vintage fourth quarter performance last night as TNT KaTropa helped its own cause in defeating the San Miguel Beermen, 101-94, to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT KATROPA 101 – Castro 18, De Ocampo 18, Williams 18, Pogoy 11, Reyes 9, Rosales 8, Fonacier 7, Seigle 4, Carey 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Rosario 2, Tautuaa 2, Golla 0, Sumalinog 0.
SAN MIGUEL 94 – Santos 18, Cabagnot 17, Lassiter 16, Ross 15, Fajardo 13, Espinas 9, Reyes 4, Garcia 2, Agovida 0, Tubid 0.
Quarters: 24-32; 50-40; 73-69; 101-94.