Kings make final push vs Smart Gilas

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra and Smart Gilas resume their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown today after a two-day rest with the Kings taking a second crack at knocking out a rival aching to stay alive.

The Kings are out to finally close out the series while the Nationals hope to force a rubber match as they meet in a lone Easter Sunday match at 6 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum.

Talk n Text secured the first slot in the best-of-seven finals as it clobbered Air21, 118-104, Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep of their semis duel.Smart Gilas forced aGame Four versus Ginebra as the Nationals stopped the Kings, 100-88, also last Wednesday.

“The next game will surely be more difficult but we’ll be there fighting to stay alive,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

Smart Gilas foiled Ginebra’s sweep bid on a key third-quarter turnaround Wednesday.

Jayvee Casio poured in a personal conference high of 30 points, including 24 in the second half as the Nationals checked their skid and kept their chance to duplicate the triumphant finish of the Northern Cement Consolidated team in its guest stint in the league in 1985.

Marcus Douthit flexed his muscles and Aldrech Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Marcio Lassiter and Mac Baracael had significant contributions in Smart Gilas’ Wednesday win.

“Our guys showed that they’re competitive; that they know how to play basketball. What makes me proud is the sportsmanship and fair play we bring in the game. No one can say we play dirty. We only play with our skills,” said Toroman.

Whatever Toroman was trying to insinuate, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico refused to answer back.

“I respect Toroman and I want to avoid getting into a word war with him,” said Uichico.

Uichico said the bottom line is that they need to apply some physicality in their game “because that’s what Smart Gilas brings in the game.”

“The PBA teams don’t play like that. Of course, they’re (Smart Gilas) used to it because that’s the way it is in international basketball,” said Uichico.

Casio put in 14 points while Douthit, Lassiter and Baracael tossed in six apiece, fuelling Smart Gilas’ torrid attack in the third quarter that turned a 39-49 deficit to a 74-67 lead going into the payoff period.

Casio and Douthit themselves delivered the points as the Nationals kept the Kings at bay in the last 12 minutes of play.

Nate Brumfield had another productive night with 30 points and 13 rebounds but some Ginebra local players went missing.

Mark Caguioa was good for only seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.