Finally, Barangay Ginebra’s fastbreak game was brought to the forefront.
The Gin Kings unloaded 16 fastbreak points- 12 more than the San Miguel Beermen, the newly-crowned Philippine Cup champions who were once again given a sound beating after two games in the Commissioner’s Cup.
For Ginebra coach Ato Agustin, this is exactly what he wanted to see.
“We did the right things. Yung ginagawa namin sa practice, nagawa na rin namin, finally,” said Agustin during the post game interview. “Yung first two games namin, hindi namin nagagawa yung ginagawa namin sa practice. This game, lahat. Even yung depensa namin, maganda. Lumabas yung running game namin tonight.”
Mark Caguioa was the main beneficiary of the Gin Kings’ fast-paced game as the former Most Valuable Player finished with 17 points, nine of them happening in the final period that helped quell San Miguel’s rally.
“Naging kumpiyansa kami ngayon dahil maganda yung depensa namin,” added Caguioa.
The Gin Kings held the Beermen to just 37% shooting from the field.
Arwind Santos had another measly performance, scoring only six. He missed a combined 14 three-pointers in the last two games.
June Mar Fajardo struggled for only nine points, but was visibly having a hard time against the Gin Kings’ twin towers of Greg Slaughter and Mike Dunigan, who had 29 and 18 points respectively.
With the Gin Kings’ frontliners doing a good job defending and rebounding, the rest of the team were able to run-and-gun.
“Kung madadala naming yung laro namin from practice to game, maganda kakahinatnan ng team. Sa game kasi minsan bumababa yung intensity ng laro,” added Caguioa.
