(Update) Ginebra coach says fans key to victory
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 08/20/2008 11:39 PM
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Despite being hobbled by injuries throughout the series, the Ginebra Gin Kings came through Wednesday night and won the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference championship over a tough Air21 Express squad, 97-84.
The Gin Kings took control of the game in the last three minutes of Game 7 and regained the Fiesta title the team last won in 2004.
The Gin Kings attributed their victory to their legion of fans who dominated the jampacked crowd at the Araneta Big Dome .
“Kung wala ang mga fans ng Ginebra, wala kami,” Gin Kings coach Jong Uichico told the roaring crowd.
The Gin Kings played without its top point guard Jayjay Helterbrand. He bailed out in Game 2 after suffering a hamstring injury. Paul Artadi and Mark Caguioa also struggled due to injuries.
“Masakit talaga yung hamstring injury ko, pero never say die talaga ang team na ito. Puso na talaga ang nagpapatakbo sa team na ito,” said Artadi.
Ginebra had to rely on Ronald Tubid and Eric Menk, who stepped up in place of Helterbrand.
Tubid sank 22 points while Menk scored 21 in Game 7. Both won Most Valuable Players honors in the finals.
“We had so many injuries coming into the playoffs. Everybody was beat up, but they played. They put their faith in me,” said Menk.
The Gin Kings relied on the momentum they achieved in Game 6 when Air21 came close to winning their first crown but faltered in the end. With the help of import Chris Alexander, Ginebra hammered a 80-75 win to level the series 3-all. -- with a report from SportsNews.ph
The Scores:
Ginebra 97 - Tubid 22, Menk 21, Alexander 16, Caguioa 13, Valenzuela 10, Artadi 8, Crisano 4, Pacana 3, Mamaril 0, Salvacion 0, Reavis 0.
Air 21 84 - Thomas 24, Santos 19, David 18, Canaleta 8, Billones 6, De Ocampo 5, Cruz 3, Arboleda 1, Kramer 0, Intal 0, Espinas 0, Sotto 0, Se 0.
Quarterscores: 26-21, 49-46, 72-63, 97-84.
