LA Tenori vs JV Casio PBA IMAGE / Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines – After climbing from 0-4 and making a surprise trip in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals despite having a shorthanded lineup, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel just didn’t have enough left against Alaska.
The Kings battled through four do-or-die games throughout the Playoffs and their grueling climb inevitably took its toll.
“The thing is nakikita ko pagod na talaga. Si Vernon halos di na makalakad, tapos si LA bumigay pa. To tell you frankly, all my players talagang pagod na pagod na,” said Chua.
“My plan a while ago was paikutin ko talaga ang mga players ko that’s why you saw Taha play for the first time kasi talagang bumibigay na. Kapag kinakausap ko kailangan ko pang ibagsak yung board para lang magising.”
Macklin had just two field goals in eight tries en route to a 12-point night in Game 3. He did have 14 rebounds but was more or less a non-factor offensively – failing to make a field goal in the first half as Ginebra wasn’t able to capitalize on Alaska’s early struggles.
Chua fielded in 13 players with Macklin, whom Chua said was playing hurt after getting injured during their semifinals series against Talk ‘N Text, logging in the most minutes at 42 while Tenorio saw action for 37 minutes. Veteran playmaker Jayjay Helterbrand also played heavy minutes while Mark Caguioa, still far from his usual form, played 23 minutes and scored 12 points.