Ginebra outlasts Rain or Shine in do-or-die battle

by **Ginebra Tambayan** Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:26 pm

The Barangay Ginebra Kings thwarted a late rally by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to win Game 3 of their best-of-three series, 81-79, on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Vernon Macklin was the best player of the game with 24 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.

With the win, Ginebra will advance to the semifinals against the Talk n' Text Tropang Texters, who eliminated the Petron Blaze Boosters in their quarterfinals series.

A Jeff Chan trey at the 3:19 mark gave Rain or Shine a 77-76 advantage. After a Macklin miss, the Elasto Painters went to Paul Lee for a shot off the glass and a three-point lead. Beau Belga ended up fouling Chris Ellis with 2:26 to go. The high-flyer split from the line to cut the lead to two, as Lee missed a layup at the other end.

After Ginebra lost the ball out of bounds, ROS went to Belga for a forced shot. The big man missed, as LA Tenorio called for time with 68 seconds remaining on the game clock. Ginebra had Kerby Raymundo play Bruno Sundov one on one. Raymundo missed, but Macklin was there to tip it in, tying the game at 79-all.

The Kings gave the ball to Mac Baracael for a three with four seconds in their shotclock. The former Tam missed, but Raymundo was there for the offensive rebound. Macklin ended up with the ball and was fouled by Sundov. With 11.1 seconds remaining, Macklin was sent to the line where he made both, pushing Ginebra ahead, 81-79.

In the final play, ROS went to Chan, who drove down the lane, but Macklin was there to swat the ball away, giving the Elasto Painters 6.2 seconds to tie or win the game. A three by Paul Lee bounced off, as Jeff Chan's tip-in failed to find the rim, giving Ginebra the victory. - RAF, GMA News

The scores:

GINEBRA 81 - Macklin 24, Ellis 13, Raymundo 13, Baracael 10, Helterbrand 9, Hatfield 6, Urbiztondo 3, Tenorio 2, Taha 1.

RAIN OR SHINE 79 - Tiu 15, Lee 14, Sundov 12, Cruz 10, Chan 9, Belga 5, Norwood 4, Matias 3, Araña 3, Rodriguez 2, Quiñahan 2, Ibañes 0.

Quarters: 22-23, 44-41, 63-61, 81-79

SOURCE: GMAnetwork