Brgy Ginebra Kings

Is Cyrus Baguio, a one-time Gin King, the new villain in the eyes of Barangay Ginebra fans?

The high-flying forward caught the ire of the fans, composed mostly of the 21,062 who trooped to the Big Dome, after he threw a throat-slash gesture when he passed by the Ginebra bench.

But Baguio defended himself on radio program DWSY Sports Radio, where he was a guest on Tuesday.

Baguio apologized to the fans and explained that the gesture was just a joke and was meant to tease former teammate Celino Cruz.

"It was only a joke intended for Celino, my former teammate. That was not for the whole Ginebra team."

"It only looked ugly when (Alaska assistant) coach Joel (Banal) approached me like he was trying to cool me down, he thought that I confronted someone, but the truth is, it was just a simple incident."

Curiously, Baguio's action brought back memories of a more infamous scene that happened in 1997 when the legendary Robert Jaworski made a similar throat-slash gesture to the referees for not removing a fallen Allan Caidic, who was grimacing in pain after colliding with then San Miguel Beer teammate Nelson Asaytono.

Baguio and Cruz were former teammates with Red Bull and Ginebra.

"I have friends with the Ginebra team, from the coaching staff to the ball boys, so I apologize to the fans if the incident was misinterpreted," he said.

Alaska coach Tim Cone said that he didn't see the incident.

The multi-titled mentor believes the former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tiger is a nice player and even compared his attitude to Johnny Abarrientos, who spearheaded Alaska's dynasty in the 1990s.

"I didn't see it, but of course if you're playing your former team, you want to win. But I know Cyrus now, he's not the type of player who will do nasty things," said Cone. "Actually, he's a humble guy and he reminds me a lot of Johnny. They have almost the same personality."

Baguio played a key role in Game 5 when he scored 22 points and drained 5-of-7 three-pointers.

He also helped set up the winning basket scored by import Diamon Simpson with five seconds left when he dished out a bounce pass against a double team to Joe Devance, who then found Simpson open inside the shaded lane with the shot clock winding down.

On the next play, Baguio made the biggest defensive play of the game by stripping the ball off Eric Menk in Ginebra's last possession before splitting his charities for the final tally. - JVP, GMANews.TV

There was no miracle comeback for Ginebra.

Not at the expense of one of the proudest franchises in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history. Not at the expense of the league's winningest coach.

Diamon Simpson found himself unmolested underneath the basket and banked in an easy lay up with five seconds left as the Aces hang tough for 93-91 win over the Kings and clinched the last semifinals berth in the Fiesta Cup Sunday night at the packed Big Dome.
The Alaska import was left open after Rudy Hatfield decided to help and double team Joe DeVance from the right corner, and the 6-foot-7 Fil-Am was quick to capitalize and dumped the ball to Simspon for the lay in and the go-ahead basket, 92-91.

The Kings had five seconds left to complete a game-winning play, but Eric Menk, harassed by Simpson and Cyrus Baguio, fumbled the ball at the post and completely lost possession, signaling the end of what had been a roller-coaster season for the league's crowd darling.

The Aces wrapped up the quarterfinals series, 3-2, but needed to weather Ginebra's searing comeback after being down, 0-2, early in the best-of-five affair.

Alaska now advances to the semifinals opposite top seeded team Talk `N Text. Game 1 of the best-of-seven series starts on Wednesday.

"I'm really sorry that there's one team which had to lose in this game," said Alaska's Tim Cone, the coach with the most number of wins in PBA annals.

"This is just an incredible series and it's a pity that one team has to lose tonight."

L.A. Tenorio topscored for the Aces with 25 points and was 4-of-8 from three-point range, the last of which shoved the Aces to a 90-84 lead with 2:14 remaining in the do-or-die Game 5.

But the Kings regrouped and came up with one final push, scoring seven straight points, capped by a big JayJay Helterbrand three-pointer off a steal, to give Ginebra a 91-90 lead in the last 28 seconds amidst chants of Ginebra! Ginebra! Ginebra! from a crowd of 21,062 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coming off a time out, Alaska almost lost control of the ball, but patiently worked on their offense until DeVance found Simpson under the basket for the game-winning play.

Simpson added 24 for the Aces and Baguio torched his former team with 22 points.

The Kings, who led by as many as 24-13 late in the first quarter, was led by the 19 of Willie Miller, who embraced Cone, his former coach, at center court shortly after the game. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:
Alaska 93 - Tenorio 25, Simpson 24, Baguio 22, De Vance 10, Thoss 4, Hugnatan 4, Cablay 2, Cariaso 2, Dela Cruz 0.
Ginebra 91 - Miller 19, Menk 15, Daniels 14, Intal 11, Tubid 9,Hatfield 9, Salvacion 6, Helterbrand 6, Villanueva 2, Wilson 0, Cruz 0, Cortez 0.
Quarter scores:17-28, 40-44, 68-65, 92-91

The team known for its never-say die spirit is at it again.

Getting a balanced scoring from its star-studded roster, Barangay Ginebra scored a 94-90 win over Alaska to force a deciding Game 5 in their PBA Fiesta Cup quarterfinals series.

JC Intal and Ronald Tubid hit consecutive three-pointers in the final three minutes while Sunday Salvacion came through with the game-sealing free throws with 2.6 seconds left in Friday night's Game 4 at the Astrodome.

Once staring at a 0-2 deficit in the best-of-five affair, the Kings had now leveled the series at 2-2 and momentum clearly on their side when the do-or-die game, for the right to play top seed Talk ‘N Text, is played on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

"It is now a jump ball," declared Ginebra coach Jong Uichico after the thrilling game. “We worked hard to have a Sunday game and now we're here. It's 50-50. Hopefully we can come out with the same mind-set when we were down 0-2."

Five Kings finished in double figures led by Tubid's 13. Willie Miller, Jayjay Helterbrand and Intal, hero of Ginebra's 91-87 Game 3 win, each had 12.

Import Chris Daniels fouled out with 1:55 remaining but not after collecting 10 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

Tubid and Intal's successive treys in the final 2:40 plus an Eric Menk basket a minute later gave the Kings a 92-87 cushion 1:34 left.

But showing steely nerves, the Aces would have one fight left in them.

After a Sonny Thoss split free throw, Helterbrand committed a turnover in Ginebra's next play paving the way for tow more foul shots by Alaska import Diamon Simpson at the other end to close the gap at 92-90.

Simpson then made a defensive stop by blocking Enrico Villanueva's shot attempt in the ensuing play, giving the Aces a chance for a game-tying basket.

Unfortunately, the Aces blinked.

Joe DeVance couldn't control his momentum and was whistled for a traveling violation after receiving a pass from LA Tenorio, a turnover that actually sealed Alaska's fate in the final 12.4 seconds.

It didn't help Alaska's cause when the Aces gave away precious seconds before committing consecutive fouls to send the Kings, Salvacion specifically, into the free throw line.

Simpson showed the way for the Aces despite in foul trouble as early as the 2:24 mark of the third quarter. He finished with 25 points and 17 rebounds, while Tenorio and Cyrus Baguio each contributed 14 points. - JVP, GMANews.TV

Scores:

Brgy. Ginebra 94 - Tubid 13, Intal 12, Miller 12, Helterbrand 12, Daniels 10, Menk 9, Cortez 8, Vilanueva 7, Hatfield 5, Salvacion 4, Caguioa 2.

Alaska 90 - Simpson 25, Tanorio 14, Baguio 14, De Vance 11, Thoss 11, Hugnatan 8, Dela Cruz 5, Borboran 2, Eman 0, Fonacier 0.

Quarter scores: 17-23, 41-46, 69-68, 94-90.