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While most of the PBA players turned away from basketball during the pandemic, Prince Caperal of Barangay Geneva was working hard and couldn’t really escape the routine, even if he wanted to.
“He had the misfortune to live in the same building with Coach Kirk (Collier, the team’s skills coach),” coach Tim Cone said Thursday. “It was really a disgrace because Coach Kirk had him train every day during the pandemic. Poor kid.
“He was like every day, ‘Come on, Prince, let’s go to work!’ Really, very hard for him, but he did better, and he has a better body, he’s stronger. “
The results of the training were shown in the Gin Kings’ 103-99 victory against Blackwater in the 2020 Philippine Cup on Thursday at the University of Angeles Foundation Gymnasium in Pampanga.
Caperal, who scored just 41 points throughout last season, was instrumental in keeping Geneva’s offense afloat, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting to lead all scorers. He also threw a nice shot from long range, making 5 of 7 triples, and added six rebounds and three assists on a night of racing against the Elite.
“We know Prince can score, and if you don’t lay your hand on him, he’s going to knock down shots. We know that from practice every day. That part of the game doesn’t surprise us at all, it’s just a matter of opportunity for him.” Cone said.
“Remember I was backing Greg (Slaughter) and Japeth (Aguilar). He’s a center by trade, he’s not normally a power forward, so he was playing behind two centers, so he didn’t have much time. Now with Greg, he doesn’t. here, he has a chance to show what he can do, “he added.
But Geneva still needed to make up for a spotty defensive performance going into the second half so that Caperal’s big night didn’t go down the drain.
After allowing the Elite to shoot 39 points in the third quarter, the Gin Kings clinched and regained control in the final period to improve to 2-0 in the standings, tying their fellow league leaders TNT and Phoenix in the top.
Geneva led by 14 at the start of the third, but fell by four at the end of the quarter as Blackwater, which made 61.9 percent of its shots and made 5 of 9 3-pointers after hitting just 6 of 23 in the first half, patiently cleared. behind the exploits of Don Trollano and Mac Belo.
A corner three from Caperal to beat the bell brought the Gin Kings closer to one to end the period and gave them enough momentum to start the fourth, as Geneva pitched a 7-1 run to snatch the lead for good.
But Geneva, who built a 10-point lead in the final minutes, still had to endure some tense moments in the final minute before coming out with the win, needing a free kick from Jared Dillinger in the final 8.8 seconds to basically finish. and put the game out of the reach of the elite.
“I’m really impressed by the way they read the defense, and they reacted really well, they made the right passes. We were fighting most of the night,” Cone said of Blackwater.
Stanley Pringle added 17 points, Thompson posted a full line of 14-7-7, while Jeff Chan and Japeth Aguilar added 12 and 11 each.
Cone said Geneva has yet to find its rhythm in upcoming games, but appreciated the effort its sentries put in against a tough Blackwater team looking for another strong game after winning their first game of the season last Monday.
“We still think we have room to grow and improve. And our team is all about habits, and we just don’t have habits after a six-month break, but again I think those things will come. Better to be 2-0 than 1. -1 at this point, “he said.
“We didn’t play a fair game today at all, but again, I thought we fought. And we showed character. And that’s what we want to represent ourselves. I’d like to think we’re not there to play.” nice and make big plays, we’re there to win basketball games and I like the fact that our players are getting hold of that, and we can play a game that’s not pretty, and still win it. And usually the teams that can do that have a chance to win championships, and that’s what we’re looking for. “
Blackwater, now tied 1-1, drew its offense from Don Trollano, who had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Belo (16 and seven) in the loss.
THE SCORES
Barangay Ginebra (103) – Caperal 24, Pringle 17, Thompson 14, Chan 12, Aguilar 11, Dillinger 9, Mariano 8, Tolentino 5, Devance 3, Tenorio 0.
Blackwater (99) – Trollano 23, Belo 16, Sumang 14, Daquioag 11, Tolomia 7, Desiderio 7, Golla 6, Canaleta 5, Magat 5, Dennison 5, Escoto 0, Salem 0.
Trimesters: 26-19, 49-37, 75-76, 103-99.
ADDITIONAL JARS
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Aguilar (11 points, 4 of 12 shots in 21 minutes) and LA Tenorio (goalless in seven minutes) are still far from their best form. Cone said of Tenorio: “He is a big part of what we do and must continue [focusing on] conditioning until you can return and be ready to go.
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Jared Dillinger, who battled an injury disease in recent seasons, was productive against Blackwater and had nine points on two remaining 3-pointers with three rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes from the bench. “Jared seems to be in a really good place, physically. The only thing he’s struggling with right now is the little complexities that we have defensively – how to defend a ball screen in our own way and how to change it in the middle of the game, things like The ones he’s not used to. But he brings so much energy and leadership that it’s invaluable, “Cone said.
NEXT GAMES
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Blackwater vs. NLEX, Saturday, October 17 at 4 p.m.
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Barangay Geneva vs. Meralco, Sunday, October 18 at 6:45 pm
