Clutch. Confidence. Composure. Japeth

(c) Spin.ph

He did it once with Talk 'N Text, he did it again with Meralco. 

It was exactly one minute when Ginebra is down by 5 or 6 (lol forgive my retention problems), Coach Ato drew a play for big man Jr Reyes, a quick corner three, made it. Mark Caguioa fouled John Wilson, splits from the line. A missed three pointer by Aguilar. Meralco ball with around 30 seconds left on the game clock. It was a total chaos for us fans. We don't want to see Meralco tearing up our team once again but I was on the edge of giving this game up to the Bolts. Pakonswelo na lang, 8-2, maganda pa rin record, number 1 pa din. But our team, Ginebra, did not want to experience that loss to the same team AGAIN.

Back to the ball game, I honestly don't know who took the last shot for Meralco but it was a good look from the basket, it could have gone it but thank goodness it didn't. Scramble for the loose ball. Ginebra ball! According to the referees, Jared Dillinger touched it last. No timeouts left for Ginebra. Kumbaga kung ano yung na-set na play ni Coach Ato nung last timeout, they can stick to that or come what may na play na lang. 

11 seconds. 11 seconds to come up with a shot that could tie the ballgame up and send this to overtime o possibly win the game with a three-pointer. Eto na, hindi na ako humihinga. LA Tenorio, s'ya na nagbaba ng bola. At the backcourt he was with Japeth Aguilar, a very familiar scene to us. Anjo Caram's defense to LA was that sticky, very sticky. Inaasawa si Gineral. 4 seconds left, still the ball was with LA. He has to come up with a shot or to feed another teammate and then he saw Japeth, who's patiently waiting for that pass. He sent that ball to Japeth who's hounded by the physical defense of Reynel Hugnatan. A couple of pushes from Reynel, a couple of dribbles from Aguilar, a step back, and a three. Tapos nagwala na ako. 

Words can't simply explain my feelings that time. It was nostalgic, magical, juice ko lahat na. That clutch, confidence and composure that Japeth had to make that shot was spot on. Thank you Japeth, LA, Jr and the rest of the Barangay for ending this year so gooooooooood. Labyu!