Alfrancis Chua is chewed by the Commissioner’s Office for flashing the fuck you finger in Game Two. The unpeace sign was made in front of the thousands in attendance and the millions at home. It was like when current Ginebra player and then-La Salle forward Rico Maierhofer did so a few years back… but with a lot of hair. 

Unlike in Game One, Ginebra found their shooting capabilities early.

Ginebra opened like a house of fire as if to tell the fans that Game 3 will happen with both teams recording a win each.

From tie breaker however… they are now going to survival mode. 

I know this sounds a bit dumb but I think the casual Philippine Azkals fan wouldn’t have a startup recollection of football without David Beckham.

Or maybe this is just me talking here. 

It’s kind of neat to see RJ Jazul getting enough minutes as an Alaska Ace. I thought for sure he was a goner when he was shipped by Air21 to Alaska for Eric Salamat because before the trade, the former Letran Knight is having the best time of his pro career. Playing second fiddle behind LA Tenorio meant a lot of things and none of those things mention “big things”. 

To summarize the events that transpired in Alaska’s stellar first half against the Barangay Ginebra Kings, the Aces executed well while the Kings sucked in virtually every opportunity. 

After I saw the exciting third game between the Alaska Aces and the San Mig Coffee Mixers, I saw a glimpse of the Barangay Ginebra Kings’ shootaround. Unlike normal sessions where we see them just shooting and otherwise, there was some direction in their movement. Despite the abundance of youth in the squad, there are the vets like Mark Caguioa, Jayjay Helterbrand, LA Tenorio, Rudy Hatfield, Billy Mamaril, and Kerby Raymundo.

And just like the young up and comers, they were doing the same shtick. 

Ever since he has stepped out of the shadows of Jimbo Aquino in San Sebastian (this statement is kind of funny now), Calvin Abueva is known in basketball circles as the guy people love to hate. And just like Macmac Cardona’s passion to become Ginebra’s chief menace, The Beast wants to pester with the Kings’ desire to win their first title in five years. 

Luigi Trillo has always been an Alaska guy ever since he got a crack at the assistant coach spot in a team that his dad manages. Now don’t start the nepotism bullshit because after paying his dues as Tim Cone’s deputy, Trillo has now a chance to claim the Aces’ first gold in the post-Cone era.

Now Alfrancis Chua has served up a lot of accolades as the guy that brought Stag Pale Pilsen/Tanduay Rhum Masters to a lot of PBL championships but he has never led a PBA team to a title.

Chua has stayed away from the Alaska colors and ditto to Trillo.

But that doesn’t mean their players are as well. 

LA Tenorio looked like a demon unleashed for the Barangay Ginebra Kings as he obliterated Talk N Text’s finals’ hopes basket after basket. Meanwhile, Calvin Abueva lived up to his “savior” shtick as the Alaska Aces have been brought back to the big dance… thanks to his exploits.

Inasmuch as I can be a Talk N Text fan, it’s not that difficult to root for Ginebra.

I am sorry TNT fans… but your import is a douche.