Ginebra sets sights on nailing semis berth against tough Air 21

MANILA, Philippines—With the opportunity in its hand and a coveted spot in its sights, Barangay Ginebra has no plans of letting up now.

“Our destiny is still in our hands. We just have to take care of business. We have to make sure that we focus on our next game which is Wednesday,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen in a post-game interview after his team repulsed Barako Bull, 91-81, Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings put their two-game winning streak, and more importantly a shot at an outright semifinal berth, on the line against a team which has not won in nearly three weeks.

The Express are seemingly back into the whipping team of old, freefalling into a three-game tailspin that has forced them into a tough situation: Defy the odds and beat the Gin Kings to forge a playoff for the last quarterfinals slot against the Energy.

But despite Air21’s struggles, it won’t be easy for Tanquingcen, who knows that the Express are capable of pulling off upsets. After all, Air21 did beat the likes of Alaska and Talk ‘N Text.

“It will be a tough game against Air21 because they’re young and they always continue to fight. And Marcus (Douthit) is still very dominant no matter what.”

Douthit, also a Smart Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, has been contributing big numbers in the Express’ current funk, averaging 25 points and 18 rebounds, five assists and three blocks but has been slowed by four turnovers a night to go along with a woeful field goal shooting.

In the 6-foot-10 bruiser’s last three games, he has shot 12-of-29, seven-of-21 and nine-of-28.

But one can’t blame him for that kind of made-attempted shot disparity as the naturalized Filipino center has to carry much of the load being teamed up with relatively inexperienced bunch.

Tanquingcen noted one thing his team needs  to do in order to win: Dictate the tempo.

“That’s crucial. We were able to play our style. And that’s going to be key for us to keep winning.”

In a topsy-turvy conference where three teams are fighting for the top two slots and another three battling it out for the remaining two seats, Ginebra finds itself in the middle of those two groups.

Tanquingcen played it safe when asked which team he wants to go up against in case a playoff happens. Talk ‘N Text or B-Meg?

“Actually you can’t really choose which team you’d want to face even in the quarters. Any of those teams are really tough,” said Tanquingcen, who opted to rest veteran playmaker Jayjay Helterbrand because of a hamstring injury.

“Just to have that opportunity if we get there to have a chance at an outright semis that’s a big thing for us. I don’t really need to think of  which team as long as there’s an opportunity.”