PBA Finals: Rookies Wilson, Labagala tow Kings to Game 2 win

Barangay Ginebra was looking for fresher legs to compete against the fast-paced Talk N Text Tropang Texters. The Gin Kings found not one but two in unheralded rookies Jonh Wilson and Rob Labagala, who stepped up big in Game 2 of the best-of-seven Finals series and carried their team to a 108-106 triumph on Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome. The Gin Kings' newcomers did not only stop the amazing 12-game winning run of the Tropang Texters, but their impressive game helped put their team back in the thick of the fight as Ginebra leveled the series to 1-1 apiece. Wilson, a product of Jose Rizal University, finished with 16 points, including a three-point play off the sixth and final foul of Talk N Text import Paul Harris. The Ginebra rookie’s three-point play shattered the game’s final deadlock and gave Ginebra a 104-101 lead, with still 1:47 left in the match. Four straight free throws by Mike Cortez pushed the Gin Kings ahead, 108-101, under a minute to play in the game, but the Tropang Texters didn’t want to go down without a fight, scoring five straight points on a trey by Ranidel de Ocampo and an unmolested bucket by Fonacier off a Jimmy Alapag assist as Talk N Text stayed within striking distance under 20 seconds left in the match. In the next play, Barangay Ginebra veteran guard Willie Miller became the recipient off an inbound play and was fouled by Ryan Reyes, 18 seconds left in the match. But the usually reliable Miller missed both free throws, giving the Texters a chance to equalize the game or win it outright with a triple. The Texters went to their familiar screen-and-pop play involving De Ocampo and Alapag, but the taller Hatfield was able to challenge the Talk N Text guard’s three-point attempt for the final tally. But while the result of Game 2 had to be decided by Alapag’s last heave from beyond the arc, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was able to make significant changes in Game 2 after his team lost badly in Game 1, 83-102. Unlike in Game 1 where Uichico elected to match up with the Texters, he was able to turn Game 2 more like a chess match. Whenever the Texters will play small ball, the Gin Kings will play big. Eric Menk and Willie Wilson, played significant roles for their team’s win in Game 2. The two form up the Gin Kings’ taller frontline to off set the speed advantage of the Texters. Menk finished with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists while Wilson added seven boards and provided the extra amount of intangibles, which the Gin Kings clearly needed to outwork the Texters. With Menk and Wilson helping out up front, the Gin Kings were able to beat the Texters in the rebounding department in Game 2, 49-42, including five more on the offensive end, 17-12. And whenever the Texters would match up and field in their big players, the Gin Kings would play with a smaller line up. John Wilson and Labagala were the two guards who responded to the challenge for the Gin Kings. The two combined for 26 points of Ginebra’s total 48 points off the bench, 12 more than the Texters’ second unit. Wilson also did a great job keeping Harris out of his comfort zone. The Talk N Text import scored 24 points, but was held down to eight rebounds as the Ginebra rookie was able to body up on the American forward, who was seen getting frustrated by Wilson's defense several times. Ginebra’s locals also overshadowed their import’s lackadaisical performance on defense. Although he finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds, Nate Brumfield was a liability on the defensive end. De Ocampo was able to hit three of his four three-point shots with the Ginebra import defending him. During the crucial stretch of the match, Uichico would pull out his import on his team’s defensive purposes. He was a step slower to react in some of the Texters’ screen-and-roll play, allowing Talk N Text players easy access to penetrate. - GMA News