Ginebra pride at stake

Barangay Ginebra coach Joseph Uichico admitted yesterday prized point guard Jay-Jay Helterbrand could be lost for the rest of the PBA Fiesta Conference finals but vowed to regroup the Kings in anticipation of a long series.

“Right now, we’re preparing for Game 3 (tonight) without Jay-Jay,” said Uichico. “The doctors’ prognosis is if there’s swelling or some kind of black and blue, he could be out for the series. He couldn’t walk after Game 2 which was unlike Paul’s (Artadi) hamstring injury because he could’ve actually come back in Game 1 after getting hurt in the first quarter.”

Helterbrand underwent rehab therapy yesterday morning and at presstime, Uichico waited for advice from the doctors. Uichico said Helterbrand is a doubtful starter tonight.

“This is for the championship,” said Uichico. “We’ve just got to find ways to win, with or without Jay-Jay. We’ll try to adjust. When Ronald (Tubid) went down, we found a solution to compensate by giving more minutes to Chris (Pacana) and Sunday (Salvacion). Without Jay-Jay, the logical thing is to move Mark (Caguioa) back as a starter. We can’t activate anyone to fill spots because under PBA rules, you stick with your lineup at the end of the eliminations.”

Uichico said it’ll be difficult to live down Ginebra’s 124-90 loss to Air21 in Game 2 last Friday. The Express dominated the Kings in every significant statistical department – in rebounds, 55-41, second chance points, 17-6, fastbreak points, 23-7, turnovers, 14-25, free throws, 18-34 to 12-17, and field goal attempts, 97-77.

* * *

“The loss was embarrassing, more than anything,” rued Uichico. “The way we lost was something you never want to happen. Our pride and ego took a beating. We’re hoping it makes us come out fighting in Game 3 because our pride is at stake.”

Uichico’s consolation is the loss came early in the best-of-7 series.

“We were flat in Game 2, maybe because we thought winning Game 1 was easy,” continued Uichico. “But I’ve always maintained we’re the underdogs. Man for man, Air21 has a lot of advantages over us. Don’t forget they were the first to qualify for the semis as the No. 1 team. They’re tall and quick – they jump out of the gym and play physical. They put bodies on our scorers. In Game 2, Wynne (Arboleda) went after Jay-Jay right from the start then Arwind (Santos) took on Mark. Playing physical is part of the game. We just have to play better as a team and show a collective effort.”

Uichico said he noticed Air21 made several key adjustments in Game 2, like playing a semi-zone with Steve Thomas guarding space under the basket in a floating position and a local, usually Homer Se, defending Chris Alexander at the post. Another adjustment was bringing up Gary David from the bench.

“The adjustments didn’t really hurt us in a big way,” said Uichico. “I just thought we were outhustled by them. It’s okay if we don’t get too many offensive rebounds but they shouldn’t get them either. They were more aggressive. We’ve always known Air21 to be a dangerous team and they proved it in Game 2.”

Uichico said to win, the Kings can’t relax on offense and defense.

“We just have to step up on both ends,” he went on. “They play the same style every game. They put up a lot of shots. We’ve got to surpass their intensity. Chris has to be more aggressive in getting rebounds. But the focus is on the locals. Air21’s locals did the damage in Game 2.”

* * *

Alexander was far from dominating in Game 2, pulling down only 10 rebounds compared to 25 in Game 1. Helterbrand was also off, chipping in just four points before limping off the court in the third period. Ironically, both Alexander and Helterbrand were honored before Friday’s contest. Alexander was cited as Best Import and Helterbrand, Best Player.

“I don’t know if those awards had anything to do with playing a little flat,” said Uichico. “But we’ll be back. We’re the never-say-die team. The situation could be worse. The series is tied, 1-1, so we’re starting all over again. Our winning streak of 13 straight games couldn’t go on forever and if it’s to be broken, better now than later when we’re in the middle of the series.”

Uichico said there are lessons to be learned from the Game 2 setback. 

“We’ve seen teams get blown out in the NBA Finals and they’ve bounced back,” he said. “That’s how it is sometimes in basketball. The important thing is you’ve got be ready to play hard game in, game out – whether coming off a big win or a big loss.”

Finding a way to win is Uichico’s challenge. But if there’s anyone capable of facing up to the task, it’s Uichico who has won six PBA titles with San Miguel Beer and one with Ginebra. 

In a mental war, the gutsier team will prevail. Whether that’s Ginebra or Air21 remains to be seen.

Postscript. Emerald Headway invites you to take advantage of its Subs Saving Promo. Get a 20 percent additional discount when you get a one-year subscription or a 10 percent additional discount for a six-month subscription to any of Emerald’s numerous foreign magazine titles – that’s a saving of up to 40 percent off the regular retail prices of popular titles such as Elle, Famous, Metropolitan Home, In Style, GQ, Slam, Car & Driver and National Geographic. There is surely a title tailored to fit your personal interests. For more details, call 647-4744 or visit the Emerald showroom at 218 Katipunan Ave., Blue Ridge, Q.C.