Ginebra coach wants wards to clamp down on Texters

Coach Jong Uichico could only think of one major factor for Barangay Ginebra to be competitive with Talk `N Text in their KFC-PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series.

“Defend a lot better," he said in the aftermath of the Kings’ 107-92 loss at the hands of the defending champion in Game 1 of the best-of-five affair Friday night.

That should be tops in Ginebra’s agenda going into Game 2 Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum if the Kings don’t want to stare at a big 0-2 hole against a team as talented and as deep as the Tropang Texters.

In contrast, Rain or Shine hopes to limit its turnovers to get back at Purefoods, which holds a similar 1-0 lead in the other quarterfinal pairing of the All-Filipino meet.

“We played well but we have to limit our turnovers," said Elasto Painters mentor Caloy Garcia, noting his team committed 22 errors in a 90-85 loss to the Giants two days ago. “It’s just that we have to compete for 48 minutes."

The last of that Rain or Shine turnover actually cost them the game as Sol Mercado’s pass was deflected by Roger Yap, turning the ball over to Purefoods with 28 seconds left and the Giants protecting an 88-85 lead.

Talk `N Text took advantage of Barangay Ginebra’s slow start and stormed to as much as a 21-point lead in the opening half before settling for a 57-38 lead at the break.

The Kings made a big run beginning the third period, but could only trim down the deficit to just 89-84 before crumbling down for good in the face of a telling Talk ‘N Text run.

Stopping Ginebra's wingmen

Tropang Texters coach Chot Reyes said limiting firebrand Ronald Tubid was among the key factors that led them to the win.

“We came in that game with a mission of stopping their wingmen," he stressed. “We shut down one of them, and it was a big key for us."

The shooting guard out of University of the East finished with only two points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field and committed five of Ginebra’s 17 turnovers.

Already depleted by injuries to key players, Ginebra’s woes were further aggravated after big man Eric Menk also came out flat in Game 1.

The former league MVP came up with only two points, with Enrico Villanueva taking the cudgels inside for the Kings with 16 markers – 13 coming in the third period – to go along with 12 rebounds.

Still, Reyes knows the Kings remain very much in the series.

“It’s nice to get one down. I’m satisfied with the win. But it’s still a long way to go to what we really want to accomplish," he said

Source: Author Unknown  | GMANews.TV