Why is Ginebra 4-4? Will they miss the playoffs?

(c) PBA Media Bureau

Just like in the Philippine Cup, Ginebra is struggling. The difference is, Ginebra started their upswing in the Philippine Cup when they reached a 3-3 record. Now, they are at 4-4.

Let us check the boxscore of their games to find the reason why they lost four of their eight games.

WHERE IS THE NEVER-SAY-DIE SPIRIT?

In three out of their four losses, they were leading entering the 2nd half or the 4th quarter. Against Blackwater, they were leading by 9 points entering the 4th quarter. Against TNT, they were ahead by 8 points entering the final 12 minutes of the game. And against Phoenix, they were leading by 12 points entering the 2nd half.

Losing lead is an indication of the current spirit of a team. That should not be happening on a team as loaded as Ginebra. Maybe, there is something missing. Maybe, they are already losing the spirit that has made them famous?

THEY CANNOT DEFEND THE STARS

In their four victories, the highest scoring output that they gave up for a local player is 21. In their losses, they gave up 30 points to Rey Nambatac, 38 points to RR Pogoy, 28 points to Ray Parks and 32 points to Matthew Wright.

All of those local players led their team to the W in the 2nd half. Here is the bad news for Ginebra, they just traded their top lockdown defender, Sol Mercado.

Without Sol Mercado, they may not have a guy that can defend the top scorers for the entire game.

OVERALL
The presence of Justin Brownlee has been the saving grace of Ginebra. In their victories, he filled up the statsheets. Now, the locals should begin to step up because Brownlee cannot do it all.