Once again, Ginebra failed in its bid to win its ninth title losing to the Aces in three games. 23,406 fans trooped to the Big Dome last night bracing for another "Ginebra miracle." The first three quarters gave Ginebra diehards a ray of hope as their outside shots were clicking. Their defense was also solid. The likes of LA Tenorio, who earlier won the Best Player of the Conference, and 2009 MVP Jayjay Helterbrand were killing the Aces from downtown. Chris Ellis' inside incursion was also working for Ginebra.
But as soon as the Aces turned their offense and defense a notch higher, things started to fall apart for Ginebra. Alaska limited the Kings to just eight points enroute to a 104-80 win and recording only the eighth sweep in a Best-of-5 series. For Ginebra, a runner-up finish is already an accomplishment considering all the adversities the team has gone through.
Barangay Ginebra started 0-4 with Herbert Hill as their import. Vernon Macklin came in and led the Kings to a six-game winning streak. But just when things were starting to hum for Ginebra, Mark Caguioa went down with an MCL injury. Luckily, other locals such as LA Tenorio, Mac Baracael, and JJ Helterbrand stepped up big time. However, the Kings ended their eliminations with a two-game losing streak.
The road to the Finals was not easy for Ginebra. As the 7th-seeded team, they had to beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters twice and that they did. In the semifinals against Talk n Text, they again needed to come from behind to beat Talk n Text 3-2 to arrange a date with Alaska in the Finals.
Bad news struck Ginebra once again as Vernon Macklin suffered a bruised right thigh which got banged up in the Talk n Text series. Not wanting to disappoint the team and its legion of fans, V-Mack played through the pain which somehow limited his movement. That development left Ginebra vulnerable to Dozier and Thoss' inside incursions.
Considering all the odds that Ginebra had to go through during the entire conference, their stint in the Finals is already an accomplishment. A runner-up finish is better than nothing at all. 2nd place is the next step to a championship. As they say, never underestimate the heart of a champion. Like a wounded tiger, Ginebra will always come back hungrier and tougher. Ginebra's time will come. For us Ginebra fans, that will be the day. Anyway, BGSM will always be the champion in our hearts. Thank you Ginebra for a great ride and can't wait to see you go for the crown again next conference.
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