Ginebra, ‘Rain’ in fiery wins

Ginebra, ‘Rain’ in fiery wins
Published : Monday, December 12, 2011 00:00
Written by : Elmer N. Manuel

Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. -- Talk N Text vs. Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. -- Powerade vs. B-Meg


BARANGAY Ginebra made big stops in the final quarter to turn back a gritty Talk
N Text squad with a convincing 96-82 win in the final day of the
PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

The Gin Kings posted their fifth straight win and arranged a best-of-three affair with Rain or Shine in the next round.

“Rain or Shine is gonna be tough. Tinalo kami sa opening. They are a pretty
good team, we have to be ready on them,” said Ginebra coach Siot
Tanquingcen.

The Tropang Texters, on the other hand, fell to the No. 2 spot with a 10-4 win-loss slate.

Talk N Text will face Barako Bull with a twice-to-beat advantage going into the next round.

After a tight 69-all ballgame midway in the payoff period, JC Intal fired a
trey to spark a big rally as the Gin Kings slowly pulled away with a
90-77 lead in the last 3:28 of the game.

They never looked back from there.

In the first game, Rain or Shine escaped the ferocious last stand of Alaska in the payoff period via a 91-85 victory.

The win ended the Painters’ elimination campaign with a 9-5 win-loss record.

The Aces, on the other hand finished with a 3-11 win-loss slate.

Beau Belga shone the brightest for Rain or Shine last night, finishing with 14 points off a 6-of-11 shooting.

But Belga’s contribution in defense was the biggest factor for the Painters’ victory.

Rain or Shine assistant coach Caloy Garcia, who called the shots for the Painters
since head coach Yeng Guiao had more important matters to attend to in
Pampanga, noted that against the Gin Kings, they have a better
match-up of players.

“I think with Ginebra we can match up better,” said Garcia.

“They’re (Kings) strong in the wings, we’re strong in the wings. They have big
men who are not really dominant except if Erik Menk plays. But of
course, it’s different playing Petron which is coming off a
championship.”

Larry Rodriguez added 12 points and Jervy Cruz and Ronnie Matias each contributed 10.

But the Painters started out flat. They fell behind 8-2 and, according to Garcia, were
fortunate to be at even terms by halftime after giving up 12 more
offensive rebounds to the Aces.

But Rain or Shine managed to keep the game close, and then unloaded a 13-2 run after trailing 66-64 to make it a 77-68 ball game with 9:02 left to play.

PBA format dictates that the No. 3 team plays the No. 6 team and the No. 4 squad
clashes the No. 5 squad in a pair of best-of-three showdowns for the
right to make it to the semifinals.

The No. 1 seed collides with the No. 8 while the No. 2 face the No. 7 team, needing just a win to advance to the semis.


The scores:

First game

Rain or Shine (91) -- Belga 14, Buenafe 14, Rodriguez 12, Cruz 10, Matias
10, Chan 8, Uyloan 6, Arana 6, Norwood 4, Quianahan 4, Tang 3, Jaime 0.

Alaska (85) -- Baguio 21, Tenorio 12, Thoss 12, Reyes 11, Eman 9, Custodio 8, Sotto 8, Salamat 2, Baracael 2, Pasculado 0.

Quarterscores: 19-20, 42-42, 70-66, 91-85.

Second game

Ginebra (96) -- Caguioa 18, Cortez 17, Intal 15, Villanueva 15, Wilson W. 14,
Mamaril 8, Labagala 4, Canaleta 3, Tubid 2, Maliksi 0, Cervantes 0,
Wilson J. 0.

Talk N Text (82) -- Castro 14, Dillinger 12,
Williams 12, Carey 12, Fonacier 10, Aguilar 7, Reyes 5, Raymundo 4,
Gamalinda 4, Alvarez 2, Weinstein 0, De Ocampo 0.

Quarterscores: 23-20, 41-45, 64-65, 96-82.


Source: Journal.com.ph