GINEBRA WALLOPS BK, KEEPS OUTRIGHT SEMIS HOPES ALIVE

January 18, 2010

From: www.pba.ph

Barangay Ginebra got away with a decisive assault in the third quarter and rolled past Burger King, 122-104, for an outright quarterfinals slot in the KFC PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday. The Kings came out roaring from the halftime huddle, building an 18-point spread in the third quarter and going on to complete the emphatic victory that gave them a closing 12-6 win-loss card in the double-round elimination phase. “This is a big relief for us. We have avoided complication of possible ties with the win. Now we can look forward to the quarterfinals,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico. Ginebra actually still has a chance to catch up with Alaska Milk at second place for a playoff at an outright semifinal slot. Uichico, however, has conceded the slot to the Aces. “For that to happen, kailangan matalo ang Alaska in their last two games against Burger King and Rain or Shine. But I don’t think that will happen. Alaska can very well win one of two, if not two of two,” said Uichico. The Kings, largely behind the exploits of JC Intal, Cyrus Baguio and Willy Wilson, went on a searing breakaway in the third quarter then sustained the pace in the final canto for the win guaranteeing them of a spot in the Top Five. “We’re happy to get a quarters slot. We’ll have some rest and hopefully that’s enough time for us to be ready for the playoffs. And come quarters, hopefully, pwede nang bumalik si Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand,” said Uichico. Intal, Baguio and Wlson each scored at least 15 points leading Ginebra to a closing four-game romp in the elims. The Whoppers suffered a third straight loss but gained entry into the wildcard round on Barako Bull’s loss to Sta. Lucia earlier in the day. Ginebra left Purefoods (11-6), Talk n Text (11-7) and Sta. Lucia (10-7) to dispute the last two outright seats in the quarters while Rain or Shine (4-13) and Barako Bull (3-14) were left to fight for the last slot in the wildcard play. Intal, Wilson and Baguio stood at the forefront of a mighty Ginebra surge in the third quarter that had the Kings breaking away from a 57-55 edge at halftime. Ginebra carried a 92-74 margin into the final canto as the Kings torched the Whoppers with a 68.8-percent shooting in the third period. The two teams fought through eight deadlocks and 11 lead changes before the Kings seized control with a run highlighted by acrobatic finishes by Intal and Baguio on fastbreaks. Intal and Baguio wound up with 24 points apiece with Wilson adding 15 points. The trio also combined for 14 points and eight assists. Beau Belga had a career-high 17 points in pacing the Whoppers. (SB)

The scores: Ginebra 122 - Intal 24, Baguio 24, Wilson 15, Tubid 11, Villanueva 11, Mamaril 9, Menk 9, White 8, Cruz 7, Salvacion 4, Alvarez 0. Burger King 104 - Belga 17, Cabagnot 13, Sharma 13, Buenafe 12, Gonzales 11, Matias 9, Billones 9, Yee M. 6, Aban 6, Yee R. 6, Quinahan 2, Williams 0. Quarterscores: 29-27, 57-55, 92-74, 122-104