Like an alpha predator to his weakened prey, the Kings simply knew when and how to deliver the killing blow.
Barangay Ginebra proved to be too poised in closeout games, finishing off rival Magnolia with a 99-84 victory in Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinals series to march into 2022 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Not even the ejection of Christian Standhardinger in the first quarter could stop the Kings' march to their first mid-conference finals since 2018 as Ginebra came out guns blazing and built a lead to as many as 24 points before it fended off the Hotshots' desperation run in the payoff period.
A no stranger to crucial games, LA Tenorio displayed his veteran experience and led by example, firing 10 of his 18 points in the opening frame which practically set the tone to the masterful performance from the Kings.
Justin Brownlee provided a steady presence with 24 points, rebounds and six assists while Japeth Aguilar saved his best game for last, stepping up to Standhardinger's absence and posted 19 points and eight rebounds.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone lauded his team for showing the killer instinct in the closeout game and not letting the Hotshots gain any momentum and force a do-or-die Game 5.
“I’m just so thankful that I didn’t have to play a Game 5 against this team. We talked about how, just say no to a Game 5. We have to put all of our eggs in one basket and that’s really the expression and we did. These guys didn’t leave anything. These guys didn’t think about this game,” said Cone after the game.
That instinct was on full display especially in the first half when Ginebra took advantage of Magnolia’s sluggish start, unleashing 11 unanswered points to end the opening frame. The Kings protected the lead and even stretched it to its largest, 71-47 after a blistering third quarter spearheaded by Brownlee, Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo.
The Hotshots refused to go down without a fight as they went on a 10-0 run bridging the third and final frame to come within 12, 80-72. A couple of missed defensive rebounds for Magnolia and timely hits from Malonzo, Brownlee and Stanley Pringle easily restored order for the Kings.
Calvin Abueva paced Magnolia with 14 points and six rebounds while Nick Rakocevic finished with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds to leave an impression in his final PBA game. After having limited minutes in Game 3, Paul Lee came back but cooled down with only nine points across his name.