Ginebra Levels Series as Talk ‘N Text Walks Out of Game 4
(From PBA)
TALK `N Text forfeited Game 4 of its quarterfinal showdown with Barangay Ginebra Friday night in a stunning twist expected to add drama and emotion to their do-or-die encounter for a semifinal berth in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.
A disputed flagrant foul-penalty two called on Ranidel de Ocampo sparked off the incident, which turned out to be the last straw for coach Chot Reyes to order the Tropang Texters and his entire coaching staff to walk out of the Araneta Coliseum floor with a minute left in the opening quarter and the Kings leading, 27-20.
De Ocampo was whistled for a foul against Ronald Tubid while the Barangay Ginebra shooting guard was driving for a basket.
The entire Tropang Texters immediately proceeded to their dugout, dressed up, and never returned to the court again.
As standard operating procedure, Talk `N Text was given a five-minute grace period to go back to the playing court. When the buzzer sounded, a pair of one-minute grace periods was again given them.
But to no avail.
And so, the Kings walked off with another win to level the best-of-seven series at two games apiece, with the decisive Game 5 set on Sunday also at the Big Dome.
Winner of the Kings-Tropang Texters duel will meet the Alaska Aces in the semifinals, a best-of-seven affair.
“I’m happy, they gave the game to us. We will take any win, and we are here to win,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
“I’m not going to talk about exactly what happened. That’s their (Talk `N Text) decision and we abide by it,” Uichico added.
League Commissioner Sonny Barrios tried to talk out the Tropang Texters from finishing the game through Talk `N Text Board representative Ricky Vargas and team manager Virgil Villavicencio, but failed to convince both officials.
Later, following an extensive meeting with team officials of both Talk `N Text and Ginebra, Barrios announced that a minimum fine of P500,000 will be slapped on the Tropang Texters and more if he finds there is a need.
The Commissioner has also called Villavicencio for a meeting at his office Saturday afternoon.
“As sportsmen and gentlemen, we will have a Game 5,” Barrios announced. “I’d rather not think that there won’t be a Game 5.”
The incident marked the first time in the last 20 years that a team walked out and forfeited a PBA game.
Then known as Anejo, Barangay Ginebra and playing coach Robert Jaworski Sr were fined P500,000 for forfeiting Game 6 of the 1990 First Conference championship series against Formula Shell, which went on to win the title after the Rhum Makers refused to go back to the playing court.
Red Bull also did the same during the 2006 Philippine Cup semifinals opposite San Miguel, although the Barakos returned to the playing court upon the order of the late team manager Tony Chua and finished Game 4 of the series, which the Beermen won, 106-82.
A disputed flagrant foul-penalty two called on Ranidel de Ocampo sparked off the incident, which turned out to be the last straw for coach Chot Reyes to order the Tropang Texters and his entire coaching staff to walk out of the Araneta Coliseum floor with a minute left in the opening quarter and the Kings leading, 27-20.
De Ocampo was whistled for a foul against Ronald Tubid while the Barangay Ginebra shooting guard was driving for a basket.
The entire Tropang Texters immediately proceeded to their dugout, dressed up, and never returned to the court again.
As standard operating procedure, Talk `N Text was given a five-minute grace period to go back to the playing court. When the buzzer sounded, a pair of one-minute grace periods was again given them.
But to no avail.
And so, the Kings walked off with another win to level the best-of-seven series at two games apiece, with the decisive Game 5 set on Sunday also at the Big Dome.
Winner of the Kings-Tropang Texters duel will meet the Alaska Aces in the semifinals, a best-of-seven affair.
“I’m happy, they gave the game to us. We will take any win, and we are here to win,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.
“I’m not going to talk about exactly what happened. That’s their (Talk `N Text) decision and we abide by it,” Uichico added.
League Commissioner Sonny Barrios tried to talk out the Tropang Texters from finishing the game through Talk `N Text Board representative Ricky Vargas and team manager Virgil Villavicencio, but failed to convince both officials.
Later, following an extensive meeting with team officials of both Talk `N Text and Ginebra, Barrios announced that a minimum fine of P500,000 will be slapped on the Tropang Texters and more if he finds there is a need.
The Commissioner has also called Villavicencio for a meeting at his office Saturday afternoon.
“As sportsmen and gentlemen, we will have a Game 5,” Barrios announced. “I’d rather not think that there won’t be a Game 5.”
The incident marked the first time in the last 20 years that a team walked out and forfeited a PBA game.
Then known as Anejo, Barangay Ginebra and playing coach Robert Jaworski Sr were fined P500,000 for forfeiting Game 6 of the 1990 First Conference championship series against Formula Shell, which went on to win the title after the Rhum Makers refused to go back to the playing court.
Red Bull also did the same during the 2006 Philippine Cup semifinals opposite San Miguel, although the Barakos returned to the playing court upon the order of the late team manager Tony Chua and finished Game 4 of the series, which the Beermen won, 106-82.
Rain or Shine Survives PF Rally, Forces Game 5
(From PBA)
Eddie Laure redeemed himself from a big Game Two booboo as he emerged Rain or Shine’s savior in surviving a fourth knockout game in two weeks, forcing a sudden death with Purefoods in their KFC PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals showdown.
Before a huge Friday crowd at the Araneta Coliseum, Laure nailed a trey coming off the bench in the final minute then the Elasto Painters made crucial defensive stops as they topped the Giants, 103-100, for the second straight game, thus, extending their battle to a deciding Game Five Sunday.
The series should have been over now if not for Laure’s costly foul sending James Yap for the winning free throws with six-tenths of a second left in Game Two. “Bumawi,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia of Laure who knocked in the triple giving the Elasto Painters back the lead just after the Giants erased a 20-point deficit and surged ahead at 100-98.
In the ensuing plays, Gabe Norwood blocked a shot by James Yap then forced Roger Yap to an error in two defensive gems helping Rain or Shine clinch the win that forced a two-game-all standoff in the best-of-five series.
“Once again, we came out to compete. We blew away a 20-point lead but credit to the players, they didn’t give up and showed composure at crunch time,” said Garcia. “Hopefully, makalusot uli sa Sunday. Purefoods has the edge in experience and talent because they’ve been here before and they’re loaded with talents. But if we’re able to compete, I think we can pull off an upset,” Garcia also said.
The Elasto Painters continued to fight with grit and determination as they overcame Kerby Raymundo’s big return from a one-game layoff. The versatile 6-foot-6 forward exploded for 34 points, including three three-pointers that helped fuel Purefoods’ searing rally in the fourth quarter. As Raymundo scored his final basket in the night, the Giants tied the game for the first time at 98-all with 1:51 left to play. Purefoods then grabbed the lead at 100-98 as Roger Yap eluded Sol Mercado for a layup.
Just when everybody in the venue thought they’d seen the last of Rain or Shine, Laure came off the bench and buoyed the Elasto Painters’ spirit in drilling in a trey. Laure, the skipper of the team, was 1-of-4 from the field when he returned to the floor at the finish.
Mercado and Norwood once again delivered big numbers with the former putting in 24 points, eight assists and four rebounds and the latter logging in 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Ryan Arana, Jervy Cruz and JayR Reyes were three other Elasto Painters who finished in double figures. Raymundo tallied 34 points, seven rebounds and five assists but Purefoods’ other star in James Yap struggled for only eight points. “It was a key factor that we’re able to limit James’ production,” said Garcia.
The scores:
Rain or Shine 103 - Mercado 24, Norwood 20, Arana 11, Cruz 10, Reyes 10, Hrabak 9, Telan 7, Laure 6, Chan 4, Tang 2, Ibanes 0.
Purefoods 100 - Raymundo 34, Pingris 20, Yap R. 19, Reavis 10, Yap J. 8, Canaleta 5, Salvador 3, Artadi 1, Timberlake 0, Simon 0, Adducul 0, Allado 0.
Quarterscores: 31-15, 50-39, 85-68, 103-100
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