BACK-TO-BACK WINS FOR GINEBRA
Pushing the pace of the game in the fourth quarter, Barangay Ginebra bucked Peter John Ramos’ dominant inside presence and crushed Kia, 100-92, for a second straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Ginebra wore down Ramos with an up-tempo offense and helping defense in the payoff period, negating his 37-point game as the Kings sent the Carnival to a second straight loss and fourth in all in five games.
“Ang hirap dahil talagang sobra ang laki niya,” said Ginebra coach Ato Agustin of the tough task they faced against the 7-foot-3 Kia import.
“Ginawa namin yata halos lahat. We doubled him, straight man to man, and zone. Credit goes to Japeth (Aguilar) doon sa last defensive strategy namin na gumana. Japeth fronted him, then somebody helped out kapag ni-lob nila ang bola,” Agustin said on their defensive effort.
“I was able to use Japeth only towards the end, but he responded in helping stop Ramos,” Agustin also said.
LA Tenorio was also a big factor, contributing 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals coming from a two-day hospital confinement due to a stomach upset.
“Actually, nasa ensayo pa namin siya last Thursday. Pero nasa sideline lang at namimilipit sa sakit,” said Agustin.
Mike Dunigan, Greg Slaughter, Joseph Yeo and Mark Caguioa also delivered significant numbers as the Kings caught up with GlobalPort and Rain or Shine at fifth place at 2-2.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy. Hindi ko maintindihan ang mentality eh. Parang di susi,” Agustin said.
“Last game, ang ganda ng takbo namin. First half in this game, nawala sila sa defensive rules namin. Pero at least bumawi sa second half,” Agustin added.
The Kings stepped up in the fourth quarter, peeling away from 70-all deadlock.
Ginebra actually seized the initiative in the first canto but Kia came alive in the second period and engaged the Kings in a battle through the first 18 minutes of the final half.
The Kings regained control at 88-78 on a fourth-quarter attack by Dunigan, Caguioa, Yeo and Tenorio.
Dunigan, slowly adjusting to the Ginebra system, piled up 27 points and 11 rebounds.
Slaughter added 14 points and 11 rebounds while Caguioa and Yeo tossed in 11 points apiece. (SB)
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