Never-say-die legend lives on with Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – In the end, the team that wanted it more triumphed. Couple that with its invaluable experience and the Philippine Basketball Association’s most popular team also turned out to be its best. In a championship series where momentum shifted back and forth, Barangay Ginebra ended Air21’s maiden-title aspirations Wednesday night, after it overcame injuries, a determined adversary and a tense, down-the-wire Game Seven. And along the way the Kings ended any talk that they were past their championship prime. “What’s there to say?" winning coach Jong Uichico said after Ginebra completed a title-series comeback to win the Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. “Every championship means a lot. Every win means a lot whether it is your first or your eighth. You’re really happy because you worked hard for a certain goal. The important thing is that you keep on trying." When it was down 0-5 at the start of the tournament, Ginebra tried to get back up. When they were down by 16 points facing elimination in Game Six, the Kings tried to extend the series. When they lost Jay-Jay Helterbrand in Game Two of the finals, Uichico and co. tried to soldier on. In all three instances, Ginebra succeeded. Ginebra won 13 straight to enter the championship round. The Kings banked on Chris Alexander’s over-the-top performance in Game Six to breathe new life into a season on the brink. And without Helterbrand, they were able to win the three games necessary to seal the championship. Even Uichico can’t figure out what had transpired. “It’s really hard to explain how we won this series," he admitted. But for sure, Uichico decided to take a back seat when the credits were rolling. He said he wanted his players to be showered with the praise they so rightfully deserve. According to Uichico, never has he seen a team play with so much resolve despite being physically sub-par. Eric Menk and Ronald Tubid, who weren’t factors throughout the majority of the tournament, embodied the yeoman’s attitude in the title-clincher. Menk, who will celebrate his 34th birthday on Sunday, was like his old MVP self. He scored eight points in a morale-boosting run in the third quarter and finished with 21 overall. Tubid, who was sidelined with a dislocated ankle prior to the finals, tallied a team-high 22 points. For their efforts, Menk and Tubid were named co-Finals MVPs. Tubid wasn’t the only King nursing an injury. Helterbrand (hamstring), Mark Caguioa (tendonitis), Junthy Valenzuela (knee) and Helterbrand’s back-up Paul Artadi (hamstring) were limping at one point during the series and during Sunday’s game itself. Worse, Alexander was in foul trouble early in the see-sawing fourth quarter of Game Seven. “We could have easily given up when Jay-Jay got injured. We could have easily given up when Mark got injured. We could have easily given up when Paul got injured. But we didn’t," Uichico said. The title is Ginebra’s eighth PBA championship. Uichico also has the same number of titles, his second with Ginebra after six with San Miguel. For the losing finalist, Air21 can look at the heart-breaking loss as part of the maturation process. “I’ve always been spiritual for everything we’ve accomplished this conference," Expres coach Bo Perasol said. “If we win, I will give all the glory to God. If we lose, that only means that He wants to make a lot of people happy. And tonight, a lot of people are happy because Ginebra won." Perasol’s team had a chance to close the series Sunday when Air21 was up 3-2 but the first-time finals coach agreed the Express couldn’t keep up with their determined opponents. “Jong was right. Ginebra fought hard and they wanted it more." – GMANews.TV