Baracael makes up for lost time to lead Ginebra’s Game 4 win

Mark Barracael vs Justin Melton PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—After spending the crucial stages of Barangay Ginebra’s Game 3 loss inside the dugout, Mac Baracael quickly made up for lost time Wednesday night.

Baracael got ejected early in the third quarter after letting his emotions get the most of him last Saturday but he immediately put that game behind with a bounce-back game.

“I was wrong for reacting that way last game,” admitted the six-foot-four forward Baracael after playing a vital role in the Kings’ all-important 85-82 win over the San Mig Coffee Mixers.

“I just told myself coming into this game that I need to be more focused and rebound from that,” Baracael said in Filipino.

Baracael atoned from his sub-par seven-point outing with a game-high 20 points in 20 minutes off-the-bench. He made four out of his five attempts from downtown, had a block and a key defensive gem in the final minute that helped preserve Ginebra’s precarious buffer.

“I was just locked in and I felt confident hitting those outside shots and I was open because of our big men,” addd Baracael, who hurt his ankle but looked fine after making a crucial steal on Marc Pingris’ entry pass and keeping the possession to his team by calling a heady timeout with 1:13 remaining.

“I knew we needed this win badly so made it a point to step my game up. We know climbing back from 1-3 won’t be easy.”

Ginebra came close to falling 1-3 after it blew a 16-point advantage but the Kings would take the win any kind of way, thanks in large part to Baracael’s efforts.