MANILA - Barangay Ginebra guns for a 2-0 lead when it meets Air 21 Express today in Game 2 of the best-of-seven championship series for the 2008 Smart-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
In Game 1, the Kings overcame a slow start to pull off a 105-96 win over the Express the other day.
Junthy Valenzuela and Paul Artadi started the fiery four-minute breakaway to post a surprising 31-16 upperhand that served notice on the Kings’ seriousness to annex their 8th title since joining the league in 1979.
Ginebra, which is powered by its 7-footer import Chris Alexander, who dominated both the offensive and defensive boards, even went on to lead by as much as 20 points on the way to its 13th straight victory since the elimination round. One more win and it will surpass the league’s second longest winning streak of 13 wins, posted by Alaska Aces 12 years ago in the Governor’s Cup.
If the Kings win today, they will be recording the longest streak in a conference since Crispa won its first 19 games in the 1980 All-Filipino Cup.
Veteran coach Jong Uichico knew fully well how important a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series is as far as records show. Since 1982, 26 of 31 teams that took a 2-0 upperhand went on to win the series.
Meanwhile, Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa and Jay-Jay Hilterbrand are closely battling for the Best Player of the Conference award, which will highlight today’s second game.
Caguioa has accumulated an average of 32.63 points, while Hilterbrand is not far behind with 32.42, based on their performances up until the semifinals. (FCC)
