GINEBRA OUTLASTS BARAKO IN OT
Barangay Ginebra went through a wringer before squeezing out a triumphant debut in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, outlasting Barako Bull, 108-104, in overtime Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Kings overcame Joshua Dollard’s 45-point explosion and a five-point deficit in the last 75 seconds in regulation play, pulling through in their first game after losing their deciding match with the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in the Philippine Cup semifinals.
“Breaks went our side towards the end of regulation. At nakita rin naman natin maganda ang adjustment ng team sa bago naming sistema,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin.
“Tinatakbo namin ngayon ang mga plays ni coach Juno (Sauler). Pero tulong-tulong naman kaming lahat. It’s a collective idea,” Agustin also said.
Sauler, listed officially just an assistant to Agustin, was obviously the one calling the shots in timeouts.
Responding well to the UAAP champion coach, the Kings held their ground in a battle with Dollard and the Energy, winning the tough match marked by 11 deadlocks and 19 lead changes.
“Yan na ang sistema namin,” said Agustin.
Leon Rodgers scored five of his 31 points in OT and had the last laugh in his personal duel with Dollard.
Rodgers made it 107-104 on two charities and the Kings eventually got the win with Jeric Fortuna missing a three-point try in the last four seconds of play.
Chris Ellis, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter and Mark Caguioa contributed double-digit outputs while LA Tenorio had solid all-around numbers with a career-tying 14 assists, nine points and nine rebounds.
Dollard came through with 45 points and 18 rebounds but fouled out with 1:26 left to play.
Worse, he commited lapses that allowed the Kings to erase a five-point deficit in the last 75 seconds in regulation play.
Leon Rodgers powered his way versus Willy Wilson before Chris Ellis pumped in a trey to tie the count at 93.
The game went into OT as Carlo Lastimosa missed a tough drive at the buzzer.
Ginebra gained a big break as Dollard lost handle of the ball without pressure while Barako was looking to increase a 93-90 lead inside the last two minutes.
Later, Dollard committed a defensive lapse, leaving an opening Ellis pounced on to forge a 93-all deadlock with seven ticks left in regulation. (SB)
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