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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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05
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02
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
05
02
2024
Breaking off a slump the last time out, Barangay Ginebra looks to build momentum when it tangles with winless Blackwater in the kickoff leg of the Petron Blaze road games series in the PBA Governors Cup in Dipolog City Saturday.
Ginebra and Blackwater play at 5 p.m. at the Dipolog Sports Center with the Kings in chase of a second straight win before leaving for Dubai for a game versus Rain or Shine on May 22.
The Elite hope to get over the hump, after a first win following three straight losses to the Alaska Milk Aces, the Globalport Batang Pier and the Barako Bull Energy.
Those were heart-rending setbacks – all blowouts by a whopping average margin of 21.3 points.
The Kings suffered defeats at the hands of the Aces, 99-108, and the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, 91-95, before finally nailing a first win via a 105-98 decision over the fierce-fighting Kia side.
Import Orlando Johnson delivered a third straight game with at least 46 points, and Mark Caguioa and Josh Urbiztondo put in the needed help in the crunch as the Gin Kings withstood the gritty Kia team, 105-98, Wednesday.
The Ginebra import piled up 47 points after a 50-point PBA debut followed by a 46-point game and also came up with 17 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal to lead the Gin Kings past a Kia side inspired by the return of playing coach Manny Pacquiao.
Caguioa and Urbiztondo contributed 16 and 11 points, respectively, including a combined output of 14 in the payoff quarter that helped Ginebra overcome sterling efforts of LA Revilla, Karl Dehesa and import Hamady N’Diaye for Kia.
“We’re happy to get this first win regardless who’s the opponent. At this point, we’re just finding ways to win,” said Ginebra coach Frankie Lim.
“It’s just so hard as we’re lacking big men,” added Lim, whose team has been struggling minus giants Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.
“Japeth is still day to day. And there’s no certainty either on Greg’s return. It will be easier for Orlando to make the shots once our big men are back,” Lim pointed out.
Johnson went 15-of-25 from the field and 15-of-23 from the stripe as he sustained his hot scoring ways in the PBA.
It was the hottest three-game scoring pace by any player in the league since Jerod Ward made 61 points, 52 then 48 with Mobiline in the 2001 Commissioner’s Cup.
Blackwater has been struggling a lot more.
And import Marcus Douthit may need to exert even more effort to be of inspiration to his teammates. (SB)
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