Hunt for Easter prize

The golden Easter egg is the prize for two teams that survive a pair of do-or-die games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today. It’s getting to be a habit in the league to settle things via a knockout playoff and there’s nothing more exciting than a win-or-go-home situation.

The first double playoff bill this conference was held last March 30 when Meralco eliminated Powerade from contention and Barangay Ginebra edged B-Meg to gain outright passage into the semifinals.

Today’s doubleheader features Barako Bull against Alaska and Meralco against B-Meg. Both are deciders in the best-of-three series with the winners advancing to the best-of-five semis. The Barako-Alaska survivor takes on Talk ‘N’ Text while the Meralco-B-Meg survivor battles Ginebra. The semifinals will reprise the everyday alternating schedule in the previous conference with the Texters series starting Tuesday and the Kings series starting Wednesday.

According to PBA stats guru Fidel Mangonon, 25 teams that won Game 1 in the last 35 best-of-three series clinched for a 70 percent success rate, meaning the trend favors Meralco and Barako in today’s twinbill. But of the 10 teams that lost Game 1 yet took the series, Alaska did it twice – over Coca-Cola in the 2003 invitational finals and the 2002 All-Filipino semifinals so the Aces enjoy a history of overturning the odds in this predicament.

Alaska and Meralco bowed to Talk ‘N’ Text in the eliminations although the Bolts came close to upsetting the Tropa. The Aces lost by 12 while Meralco by six in overtime. B-Meg beat Ginebra, 109-93, in the elims but was beaten, 93-84, in the playoff for the second outright semis slot. Barako dropped a 91-81 decision to the Kings in the elims.

Mark Caguioa is doubtful to play for Ginebra in the semis. He’s due for another eye check-up tomorrow to determine if surgery is necessary to repair the hairline fracture in his orbital socket. According to a Ginebra source, Caguioa has been examined by four doctors, three ophthalmologists and a neurologist. Two of the three ophthalmologists aren’t recommending surgery until they determine the extent of the damage after the swelling subsides.

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Caguioa banged his head on the floor after a fall during the playoff against B-Meg last March 30. He suffered two cuts over his right eye but neither was stitched. The cuts were long but not deep. “Mark was brought to the dressing room after he went down and wanted to go back to play,” said the source. “But when he stood up from being examined, his right eye vision was blurry so he was brought to the hospital for a thorough check-up. His vision has improved. But until the final examination (on Tuesday), we won’t know if he’ll be operated on. Whether or not the doctors will operate, Mark might miss the entire semifinals.”

An orbital bone specialist who examined Caguioa said he probably won’t require surgery. “I saw him last Thursday,” said the specialist. “He had slight double vision on extreme down gaze but I advised to wait a few more days because it might resolve. I don’t think surgery may be necessary.”

PBA legend Johnny Abarrientos, now a B-Meg assistant coach, said what he suffered in Game 1 of the 2002 third conference finals was more damaging. The Flying A, playing for Coca-Cola, was elbowed under the right eye by Alaska’s Rob Duat and his cheekbone was severely shattered. Abarrientos said when he looked at himself in the mirror after the hit, he couldn’t believe how his face had been disfigured. He underwent surgery five days from the game and didn’t return to action until two months. Today, Abarrientos wears a titanium plate with screws to keep it in place in the orbital socket.

Curiously, Coca-Cola lost the game, 70-67, when Abarrientos left the court with 20 points but the Tigers roared back to sweep the next three, two in overtime, and bag the crown via a 3-1 count in the best-of-five finals. Abarrientos sat out the last three contests all of which Coca-Cola won. The Tigers coach was Chot Reyes and his players included Rudy Hatfield, Rafi Reavis, Poch Juinio, Leo Avenido, Will Antonio, Freddie Abuda, Ato Morano, Jojo Manalo and Gilbert Lao. Jeffrey Cariaso played up to the semifinals then skipped the finals with an injury.

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In today’s double playoffs, Barako will once more suit up undersized import Gabe Freeman who was measured 6-5 1/4 in his previous official PBA sizing. Freeman flew in last Thursday night and made his Barako debut in Game 2 of the quarterfinals the next day. He scored 22 points but Alaska won, 99-92. Freeman will be remeasured if Barako decides to keep him for the Governors Cup which has a height limit of 6-5 for imports. The third conference begins May 20.

Since the Commissioner’s Cup has no height limit for imports, the PBA required no measurement. Barako coach Junel Baculi confirmed yesterday Rodney White, the NBA first round draft pick who towed the Bulls to a 3-2 record in the eliminations after taking over from DerMarr Johnson, will not return to play. White left last March 26 to attend to his ailing father in the US and for a while, there was talk he would come back if not during the quarterfinals, in the semifinals assuming Barako makes it. But with Freeman in harness, it looks like Barako isn’t switching horses again.

“Gabe will play for us in Game 3,” said Baculi. “I know White won’t come back. It’s a do-or-die game. We learned from our mistakes (in Game 2). We’ve got to contain (L. A.) Tenorio, (Cyrus) Baguio and (Mac) Baracael. I think we match up with the big men well. We’ll fight for every inch, every possession.”

The other playoff is just as exciting. Meralco is out to make history by advancing to the semifinals for the first time ever but B-Meg isn’t inclined to oblige. The Llamados were unceremoniously ousted in the quarterfinals last conference and coach Tim Cone is determined not to experience the same nightmare. B-Meg found a way to win Game 2 even as James Yap was held to eight points but Meralco’s MacMac Cardona played only two minutes before his ejection. Cardona will be in uniform in Game 3.