source: pba.com.phSmart Gilas Pilipinas foiled Barangay Ginebra’s sweep bid and kept its chance to make history in the pro league in repulsing the Kings, 100-88, Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Nationals hope to completely rise at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Easter Sunday.
Ginebra takes a second crack at closing out the series while Smart Gilas looks to force a winner-take-all setto.
“The next game will surely be more difficult but we’ll be there fighting to stay alive,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.
The Nationals extended the series to a fourth game as they made a key turnaround in the third quarter and kept the heat to take Game Three.
Jayvee Casio poured in a personal conference high of 30 points, including 24 in the second half as the Nationals checked their skid, keeping their chance to duplicate the triumphant finish of the Northern Cement Consolidated team in its guest stint in the league in 1985.
Marcus Douthit flexed his muscles anew and Aldrech Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Marcio Lassiter and Mac Baracael had their significant contributions helping the team stay alive.
Casio put in 14 points while Douthit, Lassiter and Baracael tossed in six apiece, fuelling Smart Gilas’ torrid attack in the third quarter that turned a 39-49 deficit to a 74-67 lead going into the payoff period.
Casio and Douthit themselves delivered the points as the Nationals kept the Kings at bay in the last 12 minutes of play.
“That’s one of those nights na hindi mo ma-stop ang shooter na kalaban. Casio torched us with his fiery shooting,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
“They had adjustments in their offense that worked. Now, we have to contend with them again, we have to make our best effort to stop their 6-foot-10 guy (Douthit),” Uichico also said.
Nate Brumfield had another productive night with 30 points and 13 rebounds but some Ginebra local players went missing.
Mark Caguioa, in particular, was good for only seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.
The Kings outplayed the Nationals in the first half, taking a 49-39 lead at the turn with Brumfield and Yancy de Ocampo leading their charge.
De Ocampo, who’s back from a one-game suspension, made his presence felt going 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the second period.
Alas, the entire Ginebra team slowly faded away in the final half.
The scores:
Smart Gilas 100 - Casio 30, Douthit 25, Ramos 15, Aguilar 10, Lassiter 8, Baracael 6, Lutz 2, Tiu 2, Barroca 2, Ababou 0.
Ginebra 88 - Brumfield 30, DeOcampo 13, Cortez 8, Labagala 7, Intal 7, Caguioa 7, Miller 5, Hatfield 4, Tubid 3, W. Wilson 2, Mamaril 2, J. Wilson 0.
Quarters: 19-23, 39-49, 74-67, 100-88
source: pba.com.ph
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