Learning curve as Ginebra squanders lead but survives San Miguel

By: Celest Flores-Colina - 11 years ago

Zac Mason of Ginebra (dark) vs Arwind Santos of San Miguel (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra seemed on its way to an easy victory with a commanding lead with over seven minutes left to play.

But the Kings gave San Miguel enough space to make a run, and saw their 19-point lead trimmed down to just four, 99-95, with still ample of time left.

Ginebra leaned on its freethrows in the last 30 seconds to seal the win, 105-98, and stave off a meltdown, and head coach Jeffrey Cariaso admitted that it’s part of the “learning curve.”

“I guess it’s part of the learning curve where we are now. We have to learn how to not only start quarters strong and we have to end strong, even when we’re tired,” said Cariaso.

“Even when you turned the ball over previously, I’m trying to instill an attitude to focus on the next play, and we’re still not doing that a hundred percent. We’ll get there.”

Ginebra dominated the game from the get go and enjoyed a double digit advantage for the better part of the second half with import Zachheus Mason leading the charge.

Mason finished with 30 points and 18 rebounds while getting solid help from the rest of the team as Greg Slaughter finished with 19 points, LA Tenorio with 16 and Japeth Aguilar 15.

Slaughter, whose match-up with June Mar Fajardo made the match more exciting, put the Kings ahead 92-73 before the Beermen went on a 14-2 run to make the game interesting.

Reggie Williams and Ronald Tubid knocked down a trey each to put the Beermen within 95-99 with 38.9 seconds left but freebies from Mason and Tenorio put the game out of reach.

The victory put the Kings back on track after the loss to Rain or Shine for a 5-2 record.

“I really challenged the guys to focus our minds entering a tough four-game stretch. We made up for falling last game [against ROS] and we stepped up this game,” Cariaso said.

The Beermen, meanwhile, reeled to their second straight defeat and a 4-4 record.

Williams had a whopping 37-point showing, Fajardo added 23 points and 14 rebounds while Sol Mercado had 14 points and 10 dimes but their efforts still fell short.