GINEBRA FIRMS GRIP OF 2ND
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is back on the run and firm at second place behind Petron Blaze near the halfway point of the PLDT myDSL PBA Philippine Cup elimination stage.
Once again led by the imposing presence of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, the Kings overpowered the Energy in the paint and carved out an 85-79 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Slaughter put in 15 points and the same number of rebounds while Aguilar topscored with 16 points that went with five rebounds, three blocks and two assists, providing big lift as the Kings continued to breath down the Boosters’ neck at 5-1.
The Kings have the Air21 Express and Alaska Aces as next assignments before their keenly awaited showdown with the Boosters on Christmas Day.
With Mark Caguioa still under the weather, Mac Baracael took charge at wing spot, draining three triples and a total of 15 points.
LA Tenorio, meanwhile, bounced back from a flat game the last time out, delivering all-around numbers of 10 markers, nine doleouts and six boards while reliever Emman Monfort chipped in seven points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal.
Still, the Kings took a lot of sweat before eventually overcoming the fierce-fighting Barako Bull squad.
“Iba rin talaga ang Barako Bull. You can’t underestimate them, kasi puro veterans,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
“We won because we were able to control the tempo of the game as we won the rebounding battle,” Agustin pointed out. “Buti lamang kami noong nag-sona sila. Medyo na-rattle kami don.”
With crucial stoppages after shifting to zone, the Energy came through with an eight-to-nothing opening run in the fourth quarter, and got back in the thick of things after falling behind by 14, 52-66, late in the third quarter.
But Aguilar, Baracael, Monfort and Slaughter regrouped before things got worse, and the Kings reestablished control at 81-74.
Mick Pennisi, Ronjay Buenafe and Keith Jensen rifled in a triple each in a run that carried Barako to within one, 72-73.
But Monfort nailed his own three-pointer to spark Ginebra’s endgame flurry that eventually sent the Energy reeling with a fourth straight loss.
The Kings took command earlier at 41-32, cutting loose from a 19-all deadlock in the opening quarter. (SB)
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