Going to the All-Star break, the Barangay Ginebra Kings closed in on the leaders in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an 89-82 drubbing of the Blackwater Elite at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Elite kept the game close for as long as they could but just couldn’t shake off the Kings who scored a follow-up on their 104-103 squeaker over the Talk n Text Tropang Texters a week ago and forced a three-way tie at fifth place with the Purefoods Star Hotshots and the GlobalPort Batang Pier at 4-3.
Barako Bull and Rain or Shine are just half-a-game up at joint third at 4-2.
“It’s a good win. Magandang confidence-builder ito at nagbigay sa amin ng momentum bago kami mag-break for the All-Stars,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
“During the All-Stars, makakapaghanda pa kami ng husto para sa susunod na game namin on March 11,” Agustin also said.
Agustin expects them to be back in full force, with no more health woes, as they return to play after the All-Star Week versus NLEX.
Getting a big lift from reserve guard Emman Monfort versus Talk n Text, Ginebra this time drew bailout effort from chief playmaker LA Tenorio.
Tenorio scored 12 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer and a charity that he made after the Blackwater came threateningly close at 75-77 entering the last four minutes of play.
Later on, Mark Dunigan and Mac Baracael also drained important free throws as the Kings put the game away and pushed the Elite on the brink of elimination at 1-6.
“Actually, hindi na naman maganda ang start namin. Buti nakakuha ng momentum at hindi nag-panic noong nagra-rally ang Blackwater,” said Agustin.
Dunigan and Greg Slaughter were key players that helped Ginebra stay intact under pressure at the finish.
Dunigan finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds while Slaughter wound up with his own double-double game with 17 markers and 14 boards.
Marcus Douthit, Bam Gamalinda and John Paul Erram paced the losing team with 38 points among themselves.
The Kings hit at a 43-percent clip as they overcame 18 turnovers as against the Elite’s 11.
The Elite started stronger, taking the opening quarter at 25-20 and leading by as many as eight at 35-27 before the Kings stormed ahead, 49-45, at the half.
Dunigan had collected 19 points and nine rebounds as against Douthit’s 11 markers and seven boards at the half.
Then the Kings stepped up at the start of the third quarter, pulling away at 63-47 only to slow down again in the fourth.
The Kings, however, had enough staying power to salvage the game. (SB)
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