Aside from the eight points he contributed for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday, it was his defense versus Meralco Bolts’ super import Allen Durham that earned Prince Caperal praises from head coach Tim Cone.
Though Durham finished with his usual numbers of 36 points on 56 percent shooting with 16 rebounds and nine assists, the reigning two-time Best Import wasn’t much of a factor in the third quarter, as he only scored four.
With him limited during that stretch, the Gin Kings took advantage, zooming to 15 straight points abridging the third and fourth chapters for a 79-72 lead, which they would never relinquish and would carry to a 111-105 victory.
“It was really Prince today,” Cone said of the 6-foot-7 slotman.
“Prince played really well and defended Durham.”
But even if he was the one who caught the decorated tactician’s eyes, the sweet-shooting big man out of Arellano University did not take all the spotlight for himself, but deflected the credit to his fellow Gin Kings.
“Maganda lang yung team defense namin. ‘Di lang naman ako yun,” he said. “Alam ko naman kasi yung sinetup na depensa ni coach para kay Durham.
“‘Di lang naman ako yin e, buong team, lahat kami dumipensa.”
However, Caperal did not hide his elation to have been able to contribute in the Barangay’s victory that have propelled them to the quarterfinals – the Gin Kings have now won their fourth straight and have improved their record to 7-1.
“Maganda sa feeling siyempre,” beamed Caperal.
“Thankful na rin ako sa coaches namin and sa mga teammates ko na nagtiwala sila sa’kin.”
