New Order propels Ginebra to Semis

The movement of tectonic plates causes continents to merge or break-up. They move and history is altered. The Ginebra landscape was once as familiar as a national landmark.

The quarterfinals, however, revealed a tectonic shift in Ginebra’s game that caught everyone, most especially Talk ‘N Text, by surprise.

Throughout the eliminations, Jong Uichico, already hobbled by the absence of either Jay-Jay Helterbrand or Mark Caguioa, tweaked his lineup the way a German mechanic tinkers with an engine.

As a result, the search for a go-to-guy turned into a game of musical chairs. Often, Ronald Tubid, Cyrus Baguio and JC Intal competed for the top prize. In 18 elimination round games Tubid top-scored 5 times for Ginebra, Baguio 4 times and Intal thrice. So Uichico, wearing overalls smeared with motor oil, interchanged nuts and bolts until he got the turbo sound he wanted. By the time they reached the quarterfinals, Ginebra’s engine roared like a rocket.

If in the first three games of the series between Ginebra and Talk ‘N Text the change seemed imminent, Game 5 made it undeniable. Intal and Tubid -- The Flight and the Fearless -- started the game. Helterbrand and Caguioa -- The Fast and the Furious -- came off the bench. By game’s end, Intal and Tubid combined for 44 points in 71 minutes. Helterbrand and Caguioa combined for 5 points in 28 minutes. Helterbrand and Caguioa, however, are still recovering from injuries. It’s also noteworthy that Ginebra stormed back from a 0-2 series rut to win the series and reach the semifinals while Helterbrand and Caguioa are still recovering from injuries.

Caguioa’s such a competitor, I really hope he’s not plagued by the curse of go-to-guys which is owning a body maximized by years of stellar play, pummeled by years of first-class defense.

Intal, on the other hand, is the man of the moment. Maybe Talk ‘N Text felt Intal was a fluke. Maybe Talk ‘N Text hoped Intal would shoot himself out of the game. If the Texters’ walkout in game 4 highlighted spotty officiating, their defense on Intal highlighted TNT’s need for a defensive stopper. Intal averaged 24 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in the quarterfinals. More importantly, his scoring escalated after each game (19, 23, 25 and 28). When Intal scored on a put-back slam to end the third quarter of game 5, he showed the confidence of a PBA star. No chest-beating. No trash-talking. He landed on the ground and acted as if he was born to lead Ginebra into a new age.

Although Talk ‘N Text didn’t walkout in game 5, other things did. The old Intal, the tentative prototype, walked out of the arena. So did a Ginebra team that searched for a new 1-2 punch. It’s Willie Miller’s turn to shake hands and trade elbows with Tubid. It’s up to Tony Dela Cruz (maybe even Mark Borboran) to try and keep Intal on the ground. It’s now Alaska’s turn to test Ginebra’s new order.

Source: Mico Halili  | GMANews.TV