Sibling rivalry put to the test

Whenever sister teams San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra face off, something more is at stake than just the outcome of a PBA game. The cagers seem to play with more intensity, ferocity and determination. It’s certainly not because they don’t like each other although because of their sibling rivalry, the word is there’s no love lost between the teams.

The term “sister” is probably a misnomer. Firstly, San Miguel Beer and Ginebra play in a men’s league. So if for that reason alone, they should be “brother” teams. Secondly, you wouldn’t think they’re related by the way they play to win. Finally, there’s no such thing as an “intimate” relationship, such as what sisters share, when it comes to basketball where the competition in the pros is at the highest level.

San Miguel Beer was a PBA founding member and has been in the league since 1975. Ginebra joined in 1979 and its owning company La Tondena Distillers became a San Miguel Corp. subsidiary in 1987, thus gaining PBA sibling status in the process.

It wasn’t a difficult business decision for San Miguel Corp. to maintain two teams – later, three with the acquisition of Purefoods – because of the enormous media mileage generated by the PBA. San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo (Danding) Cojuangco’s love for the game was also a factor. Cojuangco’s integrity, in fact, guarantees that when the “sister” teams square off, it is no-quarters-given-no-quarters-taken. He wouldn’t have it any other way.

If Cojuangco has a special place in his heart for the Beermen because San Miguel Beer is the flagship brand, his brother Henry pays extra attention to Ginebra. The brothers share a passion for sports and treat the players as part of family. That’s why Hector Calma, Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Alvin Patrimonio and Freddie Abuda continue to be involved in the group’s basketball operations. But when the game is on the line, you forget affinity because winning is the ultimate goal.

Today, Ginebra and San Miguel Beer are two of the most popular PBA teams. Perhaps, it was destiny that brought them together to figure in a best-of-3 quarterfinal series starting today at the Araneta Coliseum. The survivor advances to play Talk ‘N’ Text in a best-of-7 semifinal series while the loser bows out of contention.

It was in the 2007 Fiesta Conference when San Miguel and Ginebra slugged it out in a similar best-of-3 quarterfinal series. The Kings took Game 1, 113-89, then lost the next two, 111-89 and 117-114. Only five Beermen who played in the series are still in the active roster – Dorian Pena, Chris Calaguio, Olsen Racela, Wesley Gonzales and Jonas Villanueva. A San Miguel player who later moved to Ginebra was Willie Wilson. For Ginebra, the holdovers are Sunday Salvacion, Ronald Tubid, Eric Menk and Billy Mamaril. Jay-Jay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa and Danny Seigle sat out the series because of national team commitments.

There were other memorable Ginebra vs. San Miguel playoff clashes. In the 2001 All-Filipino Cup, San Miguel beat Ginebra, 4-2, in the finals. In the 2004 edition, Ginebra defeated San Miguel, 3-2, in the best-of-5 semifinals and went on to trounce Talk ‘N’ Text, 4-2, in the finals. And in the 2006-07 Philippine Cup, Ginebra came back from a 0-2 deficit to whip San Miguel, 4-2, in the finals.

The opposing coaches – Ginebra’s Joseph Uichico and San Miguel’s Siot Tanquingcen – used to work as a pair but they’ve gone their separate ways. Uichico started out at San Miguel and is now, with Ginebra. Tanquingcen was Uichico’s long-time assistant at San Miguel, moved to Ginebra and is now back with San Miguel.

In all, Uichico has bagged eight titles, six with San Miguel and two with Ginebra. Tanquingcen has captured two crowns, both with Ginebra, and is looking for his first championship with San Miguel.

This conference, San Miguel got the jump on Ginebra in their first meeting, 118-89, but the Kings returned the favor, 87-82, in the rematch.

Ginebra earned an outright quarterfinals berth while San Miguel had to win a pair of do-or-die wildcard games for the right to play the Kings.

More than San Miguel, Ginebra will rely on defense to pull through. The Kings held their opponents to an average of only 76.5 points in their last seven wins as Uichico masterfully worked out a plan to slow down the pace, keep the scores low and play the percentages. Ginebra’s three-guard lineup of Helterbrand, Tubid and Paul Artadi isn’t just explosive, it’s also the symbol of the team’s fabled never-say-die spirit. Uichico equates effort with hustle and when the Kings play with their heads up, it’s difficult to beat the crowd favorites.

San Miguel, in contrast, is a squad that likes to run because the Beermen are deep in nearly every position and their firepower is awesome. Danny Seigle’s reemergence, Jay Washington’s versatility, Dorian Pena’s interior presence, Olsen Racela’s leadership, Lordy Tugade’s ammunition, Dondon Hontiveros’ return to form and Bonbon Custodio’s ability to break down the defense give Tanquingcen a huge edge.

It would’ve been a classic if Ginebra and San Miguel met in the finals but fans can’t complain. The short nature of a best-of-3 series will find both teams going full throttle from Game 1 and that can only mean a series made in heaven.