STREAKING GINEBRA NIPS MERALCO, MOVES UP TO NO. 3
Vernon Macklin scored on a strong drive in the last 7.9 seconds and Eric Dawson missed his at the buzzer as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel stretched its run to six games, nipping Meralco, 91-90, for a guaranteed spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoff phase at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.
“At halftime, I was saying five straight wins na kami, law of averages baka matalo. Pero I don’t think it’s gonna happen,” said Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua.
“Grabe na yong mga ipinasok nang Meralco, pero ayaw matalo ng Ginebra. Grabe talaga ang puso ng Ginebra,” Chua added.
The Bolts erased an eight-point deficit on three amazing three-pointers by Sunday Salvacion and Ronjay Buenafe but Macklin saved the Kings from what could have been a sorry loss on his crucial drive-in basket.
“Para sa kanya (Macklin) talaga yon. Akala namin pa-foul-in. Nagulat kami di nag-foul,” said Chua.
Dawson missed what could have been a game-winner for Meralco at the buzzer, and the Kings escaped with a sixth straight win – the longest winning streak by any team in the conference.
The Kings, at 7-5, closed in on the Alaska Milk Aces (9-3) and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (8-4) but the Ginebra coach said they’re not looking far ahead.
“Ayaw ko nga malaman ang natitirang schedule. Gusto ko lang focus kami kung anong game ang lalaruin namin,” said Chua.
The Kings did look very well focused versus the Bolts, especially Macklin who finished with a game-high 31 points on top of 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 42 minutes of action.
LA Tenorio, and Mac Baracael added 17 points each while Rob Labagala and Rudy Hatfield contributed 10 apiece.
Baracael provided a big boost with 10 points in the fourth quarter and went on to finish with his biggest output in a Ginebra uniform. His previous high was 14.
The former FEU and Gilas Pilipinas stalwart drained back-to-back jumpers, giving the Kings an 89-81 lead with time down to 2:26.
The Bolts, however, had their own amazing run, racing ahead, 90-89, with time down to 12.9 ticks left.
Salvacion buried two triples in the last two minutes, the last one on a hand-off and pick by Dawson.
“Grabe yung dalawa (Salvacion and Buenafe). Tres galing sa pulot. Kaya lang talagang ayaw matalo ng Ginebra,” Chua insisted.
After a 57-point game, Dawson slowed down, making only 27.
And he was very frustrated after the game as he muffed a potential game-winning runner off Macklin at the buzzer. (SB)
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