source: By Nelson Beltran(The Philippine Star)
MANILA, Philippines - Smart Gilas, the national team that had looked unbeatable early on, is suddenly in a dilemma, needing to stop Barangay Ginebra with ailing, hurting cast.
The Nationals play a do-or-die game tomorrow with Mark Barroca and Marcio Lassiter doubtful starters due to injuries suffered Sunday.
This further compounds the woes of Smart Gilas team which has had problem with naturalized player Marcus Douthit playing with a sore right hand.
Nonetheless, Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman vowed they would keep on fighting, hoping to check their slide and stay in the running for the coveted crown in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“We’ll try to recover. We’ll continue to fight for as long as we’re alive,” said Toroman.
The best-of-five semifinals resume tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum with Barangay Ginebra and Talk n Text taking their first of three cracks at wrapping up their respective series.
If ever, the Tropang Texters and the Kings figure in a first ever title showdown since their championship meeting in the 2004-05 Philippine Cup. Ginebra won that battle under coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Talk n Text has been totally dominating Air21 but coach Chot Reyes doesn’t intend to take things for granted tomorrow.
“There’s a two-day rest and we’ve got to be prepared for a big Air21 fightback,” said Reyes.
Air21 coach Bong Ramos said the two-day break “is precious for us.”
“We’d played eight games in 17 days and so we’re like playing a game for every two days. The guys are tired and have so little time to make the needed adjustments for the next game,” said Ramos.
The Air21 mentor, however, admitted they’re now faced with a near impossible task against a team they haven’t beaten in three years.
“They’re really strong. They’re really a champion team. We need to bring our A-plus game to have a chance to upset them,” Ramos said.
“We tried everything in the last game. We went with four big, with four small and nothing happened. But I can’t blame my players. They’re exhausted,” Ramos added.
Meanwhile, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was assessed a fine of P30,000 for his attack on the officiating during the TV interview before the second quarter of their game with Smart Gilas Sunday.
Mark Caguioa and Marcus Douthit were also meted fines for flagrant infractions committed in their earlier game Friday.
Caguioa drew a total fine of P15,000 for two offenses while Douthit incurred a fine of P10,000 in violation of the landing spot rule.
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