[ad_1]
The wrath of Typhoon Ulysses on Thursday also hampered Brgy. Geneva San Miguel’s preparations for Game 1 of the 2020 PBA Philippines Cup quarterfinal.
Due to the large amount of rain the storm unleashed as it passed over Luzon, the practice field at the University of Angeles Foundation Sports Stadium and Cultural Center was deemed unusable for practice. Power went out, while fog and raindrops found their way onto the court, making it slippery and unsuitable for running practice.
Instead, the Geneva players focused on the inside to lock themselves in on Friday night’s contest.
“So there was really nothing we could do on the court, we looked at some techniques that we wanted to do defensively and most of the preparations were mental,” recalled Geneva head coach Tim Cone.
That mental gymnastics was a big part of Geneva’s 81-73 win over eighth-seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters that sent them to the semifinals.
With the outcome of the contest still in doubt with less than five minutes to go, the Elasto Painters slipped to one, following a one-handed door shot by James Yap, 72-71. After that basket, shots fell for Geneva as they ventured on a 9-0 streak down the stretch, when LA Tenorio’s triple from the left flank practically sealed the deal with 55.7 ticks to go, 81- 71.
Stanley Pringle, the team’s leading scorer with 18.7 points per game, was being repulsed by the defense, but stepped up when it mattered most as he sparked the game’s sealing run.
“We put the ball in their hands down the stretch and hope it closes for us. We’re not going to force that on every possession because it gets too exhausted and the defense becomes too predictable,” Cone recalled.
“But down the stretch, we’re going to try to find a way to free him and allow him to do his thing and that’s what he did. If I may say so, we came into this game hoping to get ahead.” and that’s exactly what we got, “he added.
In a close game where neither team led by double digits until the last minute, Rain or Shine were able to erect a 27-20 lead in the second quarter after Adrian Wong’s 3-pointer. Loved ones in the crowd would cheer with a 10-2 run to regain the lead, 30-29, after a layup from Japeth Aguilar. Geneva would stay up, 40-37, in the intermission.
After halftime, the teams seemed to struggle to score as the two teams failed to score 20 points, with the Gin Kings outscoring the Elasto Painters 19-18, to take a 59-55 lead in the fourth.
Geneva was able to establish a 61-55 lead in the early moments of the earnings period, but Rey Nambatac managed to score one chance and one.
After an exchange of baskets that led to a tie at 63 with 8:25 left to play, Tenorio hit a triple that broke the tie and gave Ginebra the advantage that would not give up until the end.
Japeth Aguilar scored 23 points and had 11 rebounds for Geneva, while Prince Caperal and Aljon Mariano had 11 each. Tenorio registered 8 markers and 8 assists.
Rain or Shine leaned on Mark Borboran’s 13-point effort. Javee Mocon contributed 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Cone also praised his counterpart Garcia for putting in place a game plan that stifled his usually explosive offense.
“Rain or Shine is very, very good. It is a tough team and one of the things we talk about is that we are going to go play an old-style Geneva basketball,” recalled the veteran tactician.
THE SCORES
Geneva (81) – J. Aguilar 23, Caperal 11, Mariano 11, Pringle 10, Tenorio 8, Thompson 7, Dillinger 4, Devance 4, Chan 3, Salado 0, Tolentino 0, Dela Cruz 0, R. Aguilar 0, Caguioa 0, Balance 0.
Rain or shine (73) – Borboran 13, Mocon 12, Nambatac 10, Belga 9, Yap 8, Onwubere 6, Wong 6, Ponferada 5, Rosales 2, Arana 2, Norwood 0, Rivero 0, Tolentino 0, Doliguez 0, Torres 0.
Quarter Scores: 20-22, 40-37, 59-55, 81-73.
ADDITIONAL JARS
– LA Tenorio became the 11th player in league history to reach the 3,000-assist club in his career. He handed out the historic dime to Japeth Aguilar at the 3:55 mark in the second quarter. He is the second active player behind Alex Cabagnot de San Miguel to reach the mark.
– Geneva awaits the winner of the (4) San Miguel series- (5) Meralco. The semifinals will begin on Wednesday, November 18.
