Gin Kings, Express shoot for PBA Fiesta Cup title
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:50:00 08/20/2008
Heart will be as much of a factor as talent when the injury-hobbled Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Air21 Express go for all the marbles in Game Seven of the 2008 Smart PBA Fiesta Conference finals on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings, who have been beset with injuries to key players including spitfire guard and Best Player of the Conference Jayjay Helterbrand, scoring leader Mark Caguioa, Paul Artadi, Ronald Tubid and Rafi Reavis, showed their never-say-die attitude to the hilt in a stirring Game Six performance.
Ginebra overhauled a double-digit deficit and went on to force Wednesday’s rubbermatch with an 80-75 victory.
In the absence of notable production from its locals, Ginebra import Chris Alexander turned in a PBA career-best performance as he strung up 37 points, 20 coming in a torrid third-period display.
Lady luck must also be smiling on the Kings as both Caguioa and wingman Junthy Valenzuela escaped what would have been heartbreaking suspensions on Wednesday for their perilous actions in Game Six.
PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios meted Caguioa a P5,000 fine for the flagrant foul penalty 1 he committed on Air21 forward Arwind Santos, while Valenzuela was penalized P1,000 for second motion on Air21 forward Ranidel de Ocampo that drew him a technical foul in the emotionally-charged encounter.
Air21's KG Canaleta and Gary David also got off the hook with mere slaps on the wrists for their technical fouls last time out. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio
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