Ginebra "Gin Kings" Exact Revenge on San Miguel "Beermen": 98-86

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/271904-ginebra-gin-kings-exact-revenge-on-san-miguel-beermen-98-86

Ginebra "Gin Kings" Exact Revenge on San Miguel "Beermen": 98-86

by

Randall Parker

Randall Parker

Scribe Written on October 14, 2009

Single Page

(Enrico Villanueva puts up a shot over Mick Pennisi and the outstretched arms of Dondon Hontiveros - Photo Credit: Nuki Sabio, PBA Photographer)



Barangay Ginebra "Gin Kings" vs. San Miguel "Beermen"

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The teams begin league play with a revenge match, after facing each other in the Fiesta Conference Finals just three months ago. In that series, the Gin Kings led 3-2 going into the sixth game, but dropped the next two games to give the Beermen the Fiesta Conference Championship.

These two teams also met in the Philippine Cup Playoffs last year, with the Beermen winning the Quarterfinal series 2-1.

The Ginebra team returns largely intact, with ten of last year's roster members remaining. They drafted Kevin White (5-11, 185 lbs) 19th overall in the second round of the recent PBA draft, and they acquired three other players via the trade board.

San Miguel has no rookies, but added three new players, including All-Star Arwind Santos, while retaining eleven from last year's squad. San Miguel and defending Philippine Cup Champion Talk 'N Text share the distinction of not having any rookies this year.

The first half was well-contended by both teams, as the teams and the fans came out screaming.

The Beermen took the first quarter 29-21 behind 8 points from Danny Ildefonso and 7 points from Mick Pennisi.

In the second quarter, Ginebra struck back, eventually tying the game at 32-apiece, with 6:09 remaining in the half.

The crowd began chanting "Gin-e-bra!" and the team responded, outscoring the Beermen 28-14 in the second quarter, and went into halftime with a 49-43 lead.

Leading the comeback for the Gin Kings was JayJay Helterbrand with 7 points and 3 boards, but this was clearly a team effort, as seven players scored in the quarter.

With the crowd squarely behind them, Ginebra kept the Beermen at bay throughout the second half, with the brewery boys never posing a serious threat.

Ginebra was led by Eric Menk with 19 points and 9 rebounds, Mark Caguioa, and Jayjay Helterbrand with 17 points apiece and 2 and 7 rebounds, respectively. Ronald Tubid (12 pts, 9 rebs) and Willy Wilson (10 pts, 4 rebs) also scored in double figures.

For the Beermen, Danny Idelfonso posted 19 points and 2 rebounds, while Mike Cortez was his only teammate in double figures with 10 points and 2 rebounds. Arwind Santos and Donan Pena were board wizards, with 12 and 15 rebounds.

Both teams played well and with intensity, but the Gin Kings put the pieces in place better for this tie-up.

Cyrus Baguio, who was the star for the PowerAde-Filipinas National Team at the FIBA-Asia tournament didn't score much, with only four points, but had two rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block, in 13 minutes of play.

The Beermen face the Alaska Aces this Saturday, in Davao. Next up for the Gin Kings are the Purefoods "Tender Juicy Giants" on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum in Manila.

Finals Game 1 Pictures

More pictures po sa facebook account ni Twin AM :)

HELTERBRAND -- Mr. MVP

Barring any surprises that may arise from the voting among players, media and the Commissioner’s Office, expect the Philippine Basketball Association most valuable player award to go to Barangay Ginebra Kings guard Jayjay Helterbrand. Consistently among the top players in the individual statistical category all season long, backed by team success, "Mr. Fast" is all set to become the second Ginebra MVP after Eric Menk.

In ceremonies to be held today before the start of Game Four of the Fiesta Conference (FC) finals between Ginebra and the San Miguel Beermen, the league will hand out the Leo Awards. The awards are given in recognition of players who have excelled in the different facets of the game in the current season, foremost of which is the MVP award.

The battle for the most prestigious individual award was a very close one with at least seven players having the inside track, namely Coca-Cola’s Asi Taulava, Sta. Lucia’s Kelly Williams, Burger King’s Arwind Santos, Helterbrand, Talk ’N Text’s Mark Cardona, San Miguel’s Dondon Hontiveros and Alaska’s Willie Miller. However, for reasons ranging from their teams not advancing further to lagging in the necessary statistical points (SPs), the MVP race was reduced between Helterbrand and Santos. Santos actually had an edge in SPs over Helterbrand. Unfortunately for him though, with Burger King’s campaign stopped by San Miguel in the semifinals of the FC and Helterbrand’s Ginebra right in the finals’ thick of things, national player Helterbrand’s chances became bigger. He was earlier named the best player of the conference which further boosted his stock for the MVP plum.

In the event that Mr. Fast does move on to bag a first-ever MVP award, I think hardly anyone would raise a howl. Ask anybody who has followed the league all season long, and it will be a consensus that Helterbrand has been a picture of consistency and all-around brilliance amid the many injuries Ginebra has to endure.

Helterbrand certainly has gone a long way from being one of a wave of Fil-Ams that invaded the league in the late ’90s. From riding the bench, he has steadily improved his game. He has formed a fruitful and exciting on-court partnership with Mark Caguioa, known as "The Fast and The Furious," which has done wonders for the Ginebra squad and benefited his career.

But this season has been extra special for the 5-11 Kentucky State-Lexington product in the US. With Caguioa and Menk injured for the most part, he was thrust into the leadership role which he has embraced to much success.

In the previous Philippine Cup, he led the depleted Kings to a quarterfinal finish that saw him pile up impressive numbers of 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists and 36% from beyond the arc. In the current conference, Helterbrand is norming 17.21 markers, four boards and 5.08 assists and 41% from three-point territory. But more important than the numbers, he has been a true leader and a big reason why Ginebra is now in a strong position to repeat as champion with his heads-up play on both ends of the court.

So for all he has done this season, Helterbrand is every bit deserving of the MVP. Santos and the other fellas did an outstanding job from their end, but by and large Helterbrand just had it better this year.

Game Four of the finals is today at the Araneta Coliseum at 7 p.m. Ginebra leads the series, 2-1.

I got this from a Google Alert. Can't seem to find the link, sorry.

2-1

July 5, 2009. SMB's heart was totally outsized by the crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra Kings' outpouring of talents and passion for winning. A classic Ginebra come-from-behind game sealed off a 2-1 standing in PBA Motolite Fiesta Cup Finals series as the barangay trailed off a 13-pt lead, 116-103.

Willie Wilson, who was only seen in the 3rd quarter showed off SMB's Jay Washington who is the better defensive player among them -- who to watch out for. Jay Wash, who was seen like a blood-thrist gladiator in the 1st half was held off, almost stunned by how Willie Wilson ate him up in the 2nd half.

Erik Menk, grabbed the Best Player of the Game recognition as he stretched off his MVP moves to lead the barangay in 2-1 standing.

1-1

Series tied at 1-1.

San Miguel was able to stop Ginebra's defense. Danny Ildefonso and Marc Pingris issued suspension and fine for attacking a fan who was apparently exchanging profanity with the SMB cager.

Game 2, July 5, 2008. Who will prevail?

Cancelled Ginebra-Alaska game, will be played this May 22nd

Just got an alert from Google.. this is regarding last Saturday's game -- twas between our very own Kings vs Aces -- that has been cancelled. The game will be played on Friday, May 22 at the Araneta Coliseum, and it will be played from the start. Violent reactions, guys? Well, ganun talaga. Di bale, mananalo at mananalo pa rin naman ang Ginebra kahit ilang beses pa ulitin yung game e. Lol. The Kings-Aces duel will be the main game of May 22's doubleheader that will also feature San Miguel Beer vs Coca Cola game.

Ian, call ticketnet now! Magsisiluwas ang mga Uragon, bitin sila sa game e! Wahahaha!

- Snowmaldits -

BGK is Simply Unstoppable

BGK is undeniably, unstoppable, won their 6th straight wins! Last night, they battled with Purefoods TJ Giants minus Mark "The Spark" Caguioa -- who is still in the US, & Junthy "The Hitman" Valenzuela -- who is set to be back in action in 2 weeks time, is still nursing a scar in his left knee. With 12 deadlocks & 13 lead changes, anyone would say, it is anybody's ballgame. But Ginebra showed they are the true champions, emerged as the sole winner among the other 2 SMC teams who rallied last night -- San Miguel Beermen (suffered from Burger Kings Whoppers) & Purefoods TJ Giants.

13,668 fans showed their undying support to their respective teams, cheered & jeered the whole night.

David Noel, who was declared the Best Player of the Game, again, brought the house down with game high 30 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists & led the Barangay Ginebra Kings to winning the game. Jayjay Anthony Helterbrand patiently added 20 points (a sum of which came from the charities). Other contributors were Erik Menk - 14 points. Billy Mamaril Jr. - 12 points. Ronald Tubid & Cyrus Baguio gave 11 points apiece. Whereas JC Intal, Chico Lanete, Rafi Reavis & Paul Artadi poured a couple of jumpers & displayed great hustle & D.

Quaters: 28-25, 62-56, 89-83, 116-109