After suffering a 28-point blowout and being limited to just five points in Game One, Alex Cabagnot made sure to lead the San Miguel Beermen by example.
All throughout Game One, the Barangay Ginebra Kings had been firing all cylinders, running roughshod over the defending champions. But as the storm continued, 13-year veteran Cabagnot soaked it all in.
“Tambak kami. It’s really difficult because tambak kami. I came in when we were twenty-five points down I think in the third quarter,” reflected Cabagnot, who was limited to just five points in 24 minutes of game time during the opening salvo of the best-of-seven series.
“I wanted to just absorb the stuff that Tim Cone was doing defensively.”
Come Game Two, Cabagnot took charge.
The 6-foot product of University of Hawai’i-Hilo torched the Gin Kings right from the get-go. He scored 22 points of his game-high 33 points during the first 24 minutes of the contest, and helped pave the way for a 31-point lead early in the third canto.
“He kinda just came in and he was pretty much was the leader for us. He held it down in scoring, making plays, [and] got us going early,” shared Marcio Lassiter, who had 20 points and five assists in the contest.
“The factor here is the shooting percentage of our wingmen, especially Alex Cabagnot. Kung obsessed ‘yung kalaban last game naman, si Alex kanina, obsessed eh. He can feel it, and he really wants to win,” added decorated mentor Leo Austria after San Miguel’s 134-109 triumph that knotted the series at 1-1.
But for Cabagnot, it was not about exacting vengeance. According to the reigning Finals Most Valuable Player, it was just about controlling what he can control.
“Well, the shots were just falling today I guess,” shrugged Cabagnot, who went 12-for-18 from the field. “Maraming salamat sa coaching staff for allowing me to play today.
“And it was different in Game One, pero like what I tell my UP [Fighting Maroons] boys, you can’t control the environment. All you could control is when you’re inside the 94 feet. You just do your best and let God do the rest.”
