Ginebra survives Barako’s big third quarter surge to improve to 10-2

MANILA (first update) – Trailing by ten early in the fourth quarter, a resilient Barangay Ginebra squad had to pull the rug from under against a tough Barako Bull crew to register their tenth victory in twelve outings.

The 90-83 victory allowed the Gin Kings to remain on top of the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup standings.

It was a balanced attack for the league leaders with Greg Slaughter registering 14 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. While, Mark Caguioa added 14 markers too as Japeth Aguilar contributed 13 points, 10 boards, three assists and the same number of blocks. LA Tenorio, on the other hand, had 11 points and issued seven dimes.

Ginebra dialed and connected from the rainbow territory to erase Barako's huge fourth quarter margin. It was a 15-5 run that enabled them to tie the game at 75-all with only 5:56 left to play. Denok Miranda sparked life to the Energy Colas with timely hits but his effort went to naught as Ginebra was connecting from all cylinders.

LA Tenorio’s three-pointer gave Ginebra an 80-78 edge that was followed by another trifecta from Chris Ellis that pushed their lead to five, only 2:21 remaining. Miranda buried an almost impossible jumper against the outstretched arms of Tenorio, but Japeth Aguilar countered with an and-one play that made the game a two-possession ball game.

Pennisi scored a three-pointer for Barako Bull but two free throws from Ellis iced the contest.

Barako established their lead in the third period thanks mainly to JC Intal scoring 10 points in the quarter. Five straight points from Mick Pennisi gave Barako a 62-59 lead, under three minutes remaining before the payoff period. 

The advantage stood at eight as Ginebra struggled mightily with its shooting. On the other hand, Barako shot an outstanding 10-of-23 from the field, while also outrebounding their opponents by eight.

Miranda finished with a team-high 16 points, while Intal and Pennisi each had 15.

The Gin Kings held a 53-48 halftime lead as they exploited the Energy Colas, with a 10-point edge in the fastbreak department.

Ginebra was coming off a loss from the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers last weekend that halted its six-game winning streak. Barako, winners of three of their last four games, dropped to 5-8.

The scores:

GINEBRA 90 - Slaughter 14, Caguioa 14, Aguilar 13, Ellis 11, Tenorio 11, Baracael 9, Helterbrand 6, Monfort 6, Reyes 3, Urbiztondo 3, Ababou 0, Mamaril 0, Forrester 0.

BARAKO 83 - Miranda 16, Intal 15, Pennisi 15, Macapagal 14, Maierhofer 10, Jensen 9, Isip 2, Pena 2, Lastimosa 0, Wilson 0, Miller 0, Buenafe 0.

Quarterscores: 21-12, 43-38, 60-68, 90-83