RAYMUNDO SHINES AS GINEBRA STARTS SEMIS ON A HIGH NOTE

RAYMUNDO SHINES AS GINEBRA STARTS SEMIS ON A HIGH NOTE





Published on July 6, 2012

ANTIPOLO CITY. – Kerby Raymundo reprised a role he has perfected long before he became a Barangay
Ginebra King.

Starting at forward and playing the lead role, Raymundo had 16 points and 13 rebounds to help lift
the Kings to an 89-76 victory over the Meralco Bolts Friday night at the start of the PBA Governors
Cup semifinals at the Ynares Sports Center.

Raymundo, acquired during the off-season from B-Meg (formerly Purefoods) where he had his best
years, shot 8 of 12 and had 4 assists, a steal and a block in 31 minutes.

“Kerby is getting comfortable with our system,” said Ginebra coach Tanquingcen. “But he’s
still a work in progress.”

ErIc Menk, the 2004 MVP, may be another “special project:” for the Kings.

Playing in only his second game this conference after a calf muscle injury delayed his comeback,
Menk came off the bench to add 6 points in the fourth quarter with 3 rebounds, playing 13 minutes.

“It felt very good, and I’m grateful to Coach for giving me a chance to play and contribute,
especially in the playoffs,” said Menk, who was off the playing court in 5 minutes in Ginebra’s
113-111 loss to Talk ‘N Text in the elimination.

Shooting 47 percent in the first quarter, Ginebra opened a 25-10 lead and went on to build several
25-point margins, the last at 79-54 with 8 minutes left before the Bolts made a 9-0 run.

Cedric Bozeman added 13 with 16 rebounds and rookie Allein Maliksi 12 points.

Bozeman gave away point production in his match-up with Bolts counterpart Mario West, who had 22,
but stole the thunder with three electrifying dunks.

“A good start, that’s the first thing in our minds in the semis,” added Tanquingcen. “It’s
crucial that we get as many wins as we could.”

Maliksi had 8 points in the first quarter as a starter and endured an accidental hit to the face
from Meralco center Asi Taulava early in the fourth period that bloodied his mouth.

The Kings, who, along with the rest of the PBA will pay tribute to former playing-coach Robert
Jaworski when his iconic number is retired Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, improved to 6-4,
with a shot at both the No. 2 spot behind league-leading Rain or Shine and the 4-of-5 playoff
incentive.

A ball club that doesn’t land in the top two after the one-round semis but wins 4 of 5 games
gains a playoff for the second finals berth.

While the Kings are hailing their hot start, the Bolts are still waiting to thaw from their icy 23
percent shooting in the first 12 minutes that had them trailing, 25-10, and never establishing
anything.

“Malaking bagay yung defense because we were able to clamp down on their two major strengths –
fast breaks and turnover points,” said Tanquingcen. “We had concerted effort to limit them.”

West, Taulava, Sol Mercado and Mark Cardona combined for 10 points in the opening period, with
Cardona scoreless.

At 4-7, the Bolts, who beat the Powerade Tigers in a playoff to make it to the semis, have to sweep
their four remaining games to be eligible for the 4-of-5 incentive. (TT)

The scores:

BARANGAY GINEBRA 89 – Raymundo 16, Bozeman 13, Maliksi 12, Caguioa 10, Cortez 8, W. Wilson 6, Menk
6, Ababou 5, Villanueva 5, Helterbrand 5, Maierhofer 2, Hatfield 1, Mamaril 0.

MERALCO 76 – West 22, Taulava 17, Mercado 12, Cardona 12, Hugnatan 9, Ross 2, Artadi 2, Bulawan 0,
Ballesteros 0, Daa 0, Reyes 0, Macapagal 0.

Quarterscores: 25-10, 43-30, 73-50, 89-76