Quick thoughts on game 5 of the PBA Fiesta Cup finals

Posted by Jaemark Tordecilla on July 14, 2009 at 01:44 | Comments (6)

Some random thoughts about game 5, where Ginebra beat San Miguel, 106-98, to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-7 series:

I thought Ginebra would have had enough to win even without ~~Ato Agustin~~ Jayjay Helterbrand.

Everyone talks about Willie Wilson, but really, the major adjustment of Jong Uichico has been to play three big guys all the time, to neutralize Marc Pingris and (to a lesser extent) Jay Washington. He always had three bigs all the time, which was why JC Intal and Sunday Salvacion were glued to the bench. The lineup works when Noel is busting his ass on defense and shooting well.

I loved the Bonbon Custodio hugot by Siot Tanquingcen, and I don't understand why he didn't play more in the fourth quarter last night, or why he hadn't played much in the finals, especially with Olsen Racela turning 50 in this series. Did Bonbon pee on Siot Tanquingcen's Starbucks or something?

Speaking of Racela, now that his career is finally winding down, how about this fun fact: Olsen Racela played more seasons in the PBA than legendary point guards Hector Calma, Ronnie Magsanoc, and Dindo Pumaren, as well as contemporaries Johnny Abarrientos, Boyet Fernandez, Richie Ticzon, Boybits Victoria, and Bal David. Amazing, considering that he was pegged as a career backup coming into the PBA. Awesome work for Rah-Rah Racela. I don't even blame him for missing those free throws back in the 2002 Asian Games.

Most disappointing performance of the Finals so far: the San Miguel Beer crowd. Uhm, the Air 21 fans in last year's Fiesta Conference finals vs. Ginebra had more fight in them. What the hell happened to the SMB crowd that started the ridiculously entertaining trend of booing Mac Cardona last February? Are they afraid of the Barangay? The only time I ever hear fans jeering Ginebra on TV is when Ronald Tubid's involved. And there's a 50 percent chance those are just Gin Kings fans who can't stand his flopping.

There's a 99.96547821 percent chance that Chico Lanete won't play like that again in game 6.

I know I keep mentioning this, but how about the crappy month JC Intal has had? Carla Abellana breaks up with him, he gets abused by Pingris in the finals and gets benched the past two games, and last night, his biggest contribution to the team was lending Eric Menk his shoes.

I don't know how to feel about San Miguel. On one hand they can trot out a lineup composed of Jonas Villanueva, Bonbon Custodio, Dondon Hontiveros, Marc Pingris, and Danny Ildefonso -- one of my favorite non-Purefoods lineups in the league. On the other hand, they could go with the brutal combination of Mike Cortez, Wesley Gonzales, Jay Washington, Mick Pennisi, and Dorian Pena, which is probably my least favorite lineup in the league. I'm confused.

Can't say I'm too surprised about the boo-birds for Danny I. from the Ginebra fans. I mean, he did literally try beat up one of them.

Anyone notice Quinito harping on and on about Noel's alma matter? Really, he's from North Carolina? And he won championship there? Wow, I've never fucking heard that before!

Also, did anyone notice when Quinito ran out of things to talk about, so he brought up Jong Uichico and Siot Tanquingcen's relationship, only Sev Sarmenta cut him off, "Yeah, you wrote a column about it." I honestly hope to high heavens that Quinito won't be doing game 6.

Oh, and I'm just here to remind everyone that I saw Ginebra winning the championship way back in April.

Comments (6) | Trackbacks (2)
Tags: Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, Danny Ildefonso, Dondon Hontiveros, Jay Washington, Jayjay Helterbrand, Mac Cardona, Philippine Basketball Association, San Miguel Beermen

Trackbacks

San Miguel beats up hamstrung Ginebra, forces game 7
Well, the long and short of it was that Ginebra didn’t have it last night. Sure, San Miguel played tough defense, and kept the Gin Kings at bay, but it all came down to Ginebra not having anything last night. Hey, it happens. A couple of days ago, I t

Weblog: Fire Quinito
Tracked: Jul 16, 02:11

SMB wins! SMB wins! SMB wins!
So the San Miguel Beermen are the champions of the 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference, hammering Ginebra, 90-79. The Beermen led from start to finish, frustrating every comeback mounted by the Gin Kings. I know I picked Ginebra to win, but I also offered a ca

Weblog: Fire Quinito
Tracked: Jul 17, 22:27

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Comments

#1 workhorse3 on 2009-07-14 02:45 (Reply)

excellent read again jaemark :D sarap magbasa pag nananalo BGK. Used to do game recaps, kinda tedious though on my part (I stopped then Ginebra started to win championships).

Hope JC Intal will be more utilized next time other than lending a shoe for Eric Menk and making an avatar for me out his dunk in Game 1. :P

#2 workhorse3 on 2009-07-14 02:49 (Reply)

me thinks that Cyrus and JWash's performance will determine the result of Game 7. Those guys have been on a slump lately.

#3 Goofball on 2009-07-14 10:59 (Reply)

And the brotherhood love by Sunday Salvacion letting Menk borrow his sneaks.

#4 James Ty III on 2009-07-14 13:37 (Reply)

jaemark, I saw Kristine Hermosa watching the game last night with Oyo Boy Sotto. It seems that they are indeed a hot romantic item.

#4.1 jaemark on 2009-07-14 14:02 (Reply)

so that's why she was there! pingris is oyo's brother-in-law, and i remember bossing vic trooping to the big dome back in ping's purefoods days.

#5 James Ty III on 2009-07-14 14:17 (Reply)

I hope Ginebra brings either Iwa Moto or Marian Rivera to do the halftime dance number in Game Six tomorrow. That would help the Gin Kings close out SMB.