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NLEX Road Warriors 90
VS
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 91
FINAL
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Recap

Ginebra shoots for playoff bonus NLEX

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Mark Caguiao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Barangay Ginebra and NLEX both figured in overtime grind the last time out with the former prevailing and the latter ending up on the losing end.

That spelled a full game separation between the two teams, a crucial advantage for the Gin Kings with their 5-4 win-loss record.

The Kings return into action Sunday after their 102-94 drubbing of the Blackwater Elite in double OT on Dec. 5, taking their first of two cracks at a top six finish in the Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup elimination round.

The Road Warriors, barely beaten by San Miguel Beer, 80-88, also in extra period last Wednesday, hope to get back on track as they battle the Gin Kings at 5:15 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Boyet Fernandez and his troops look to muddle up the race for the third to six spots which reward twice-to-beat advantage in stage one of the tough two-phase quarterfinals.

Making a tough stand versus Junmar Fajardo the last time out, ageless warrior Asi Taulava is going up against Greg Slaughter this time.

“We’ll up for another tough battle but we’re ready to fight,” said Fernandez.

NLEX has dropped its last three games versus Alaska Milk, Globalport and San Miguel Beer while Ginebra has established some rhythm, winning three of their last four games.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone felt good in winning the last one in a gripping showdown with the Elite.

“These are important for us to develop as a team and as a unit. It’s a lot more fun learning from wins than it is learning from losses. I’m glad that we won and am glad we learned a little bit more (in the game versus Blackwater),” said Cone.

Ginebra survived a tough 58-minute grind versus a fierce-fighting Blackwater side, pulling off the win that assured the Kings of an outright quarterfinal berth.

Living on inside attacks almost all night, the Gin Kings pulled through in the end on a pair of big treys by LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson.

The Elite blew chances to win in regulation and in the first overtime, and were visibly a spent force to stop the Gin Kings in the second extension play. (SB)

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