MOST Ginebra fans will certainly remember Ken Redfield as the import who broke their hearts when he buried a buzzer-beating three-pointer that sent Formula Shell to the 1996 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Gin Kings' expense.
That fateful scene was the playoff for the second seat in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Alaska. Ginebra finished second at the end of the semifinals by Shell forced a do-or-die playoff under the five-of-eight rule, which granted a shot at a finals berth to any team that wins at least five games in the semis.
The game was tied and Ginebra held possession, but Redfield was able to deflect the ball from Ginebra import Henry James, who, although he recovered the leather, was forced to take a hurried three-point shot that was blocked by Benjie Paras.
With time running down, the ball went to the hands of Redfield who brought the ball down court before launching a three-pointer on the run past mid-court that went off the glass and in, triggering wild celebration for Shell fans.
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“There were a lot of people that got upset at that one,” said Redfield with a laugh during an interview with the Extra Session podcast when asked to recall the shot. “We spoiled that party.”
While the buzzer-beater was one of the high points of his PBA career, Redfield rued that Shell failed to go all the way.
Shell took a 2-1 lead in the series after an 85-77 win that had Redfield amassing 35 points and 19 rebounds. Alaska won the next two games but Shell forced a Game Seven on a difficult turnaround three-point Game 6 winner by Ritchie Ticzon.

But Alaska was not to be denied in Game Seven, posting an 83-77 victory for the second jewel in the Milkmen’s grand slam run that season.
“My biggest disappointment [in the PBA] was not winning a championship for Ronnie Magsanoc and Benjie (Paras),” said Redfield.
Redfield felt Shell had the tools to win over Alaska in the series, which turned out to be the only time the Milkmen were forced to a Game Seven during their grand slam run.
“We made it to the finals against Alaska. We lost in seven games. We should have won. I really wanted to win that one for them. I wanted to win the championship for them and for coach,” said Redfield.
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