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PBA: SMB coach Austria calls Caperal a new star for Ginebra

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/03/11/031118-caperal.jpg"/><figcaption>Prince Caperal torched San Miguel for a career-high 26 points. Richard Esguerra, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/photos" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Even without star center Greg Slaughter, Barangay Ginebra came oh-so-close to beating San Miguel Beer in Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday, and plenty of the credit must go to back-up big man Prince Caperal.The unheralded big man out of Arellano University was a man on a mission in Game 2, as he found himself inserted in the starting line-up of the most popular team in the league.Caperal responded by scoring 10 points in the first quarter alone, and putting up 17 points and five boards in the first half. He finished with 26 points – a career-best output for a player who had scored a grand total of 17 points in the entirety of the elimination round.&quot;Lagi lang talagang ready,&quot; said the 24-year-old center, who has already played for five teams in his four-year stint in the PBA.Caperal&#x27;s performance in Game 2 was unexpected, considering that he had been plucked by Ginebra from free agency just last February in order to shore up its front court. But with Slaughter suffering an untimely ankle injury, Caperal was given the opportunity to show what he could do.&quot;Ginawa lang namin trabaho namin,&quot; Caperal, who was released by Kia before getting signed by the Gin Kings as a free agent, said after the game. &quot;Nataon na pumapasok ang mga shots ko. Tuloy-tuloy lang, at &#x27;yun ang kinalabasan.&quot;It was unfortunate for Caperal that his breakout game came in a loss. San Miguel completed a comeback from 15 points down to break Ginebra&#x27;s hearts, 104-102, in overtime.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/03/11/marcio-lassiter-san-miguel-steal-semis-game-2-ginebra-38805">READ: Lassiter, San Miguel steal semis Game 2 from Ginebra</a></li></ul>Indeed, it could have been a fairytale ending for Caperal, who drained a jumper early in the extra period to give Ginebra a 97-95 lead. However, they had no answer for Marcio Lassiter down the stretch as the SMB swingman spearheaded the Beermen&#x27;s fightback.Yet Caperal&#x27;s remarkable effort did not go unnoticed, especially by those on the other side of the court.&quot;There was a big adjustment in (Ginebra&#x27;s) game, especially using players na seldom-used. I respect that player, which is Caperal,&quot; said SMB coach Leo Austria after the game.&quot;I think a new star is born for Ginebra,&quot; Austria even said of Caperal.Caperal, for his part, was grateful just to be of help to his team. This is the first time in his well-traveled PBA career that he is playing in the semifinals, and he immediately endeared himself to the barangay with his exploits.&quot;Masaya, kasi kahit papaano, nakatulong ako sa team,&quot; said Caperal. &quot;Although natalo kami, at least may chance (against) San Miguel na manalo kami.&quot;&quot;Kumbaga chance na rin &#x27;to para sa &#x27;kin dahil wala si Greg. Feeling ko talagang kailangang magpakita ako,&quot; he added.With Slaughter&#x27;s return still uncertain, and after such an outing against San Miguel, Caperal figures to get more opportunities for Ginebra. He is just hopeful that he can continue to repay the trust shown in him by the Gin Kings.&quot;Sa Ginebra, talagang malaking bagay &#x27;yung exposure para din sa career ko,&quot; he said. &quot;Sana, magtuloy-tuloy na.&quot;&quot;It&#x27;s just Game 2, 2-0, so may chance pa kami,&quot; Caperal also said. &quot;There&#x27;s still a Game 3, 4, or 5. So &#x27;yun lang. Get back tomorrow sa practice, do what we can do. Hope we can have a win sa next game.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website.</a>

The unheralded big man out of Arellano University was a man on a mission in Game 2, as he found himself inserted in the starting line-up of the most popular team in the league.

The unheralded big man out of Arellano University was a man on a mission in Game 2, as he found himself inserted in the starting line-up of the most popular team in the league.

PBA: SMB coach Austria calls Caperal a new star for Ginebra

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PBA: SMB coach Austria calls Caperal a new star for Ginebra

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 11, 2018 11:40 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

PBA Philippine Cup

San Miguel Beermen

Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings

Prince Caperal

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