GINEBRA DRUBS ROS AS DUBAI GAMES CLOSE
DUBAI – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel leaned on a solid start and a strong finish to fashion out a 93-81 victory over Rain or Shine in the finale of a PBA Governors’ Cup two-game offering before an overflow crowd at the Al Shabab Club here Friday.
Mark Caguioa came out smoking, firing 16 of his 21 points in the first period which ended with the Kings comfortably up, 28-14. Ginebra continued to wax hot in the second stanza, stretching its lead to 39-19 and appeared on its way to a cakewalk.
The Elasto Painters were determined to make it 2-0 in this Middle Eastern playground for the rich and famous. Wendell McKines presided over a big fightback as Rain or Shine took control of the tempo and grabbed the upperhand at 59-56.
But that would be the E-Painters’ final taste of glory as LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar teamed up in the payoff period to give Ginebra back the lead for good and its second win in five starts.
The prolific Orlando Johnson settled for 25 points but still led the Kings, who also got 20 points from Tenorio and 15 from Aguilar.
McKines had 35 points and 14 rebounds for Rain or Shine, which absorbed its third setback in for games and now keep idle NLEX and Blackwater company at the bottom of the 12-team pack.
The scores:
GINEBRA 93 – Johnson 25, Caguioa 21, Tenorio 20, Aguilar 15, Marcelo 5, Baracael 5, Brondial 2, Urbiztondo 0, Mercado 0, Pena 0, Tungalag 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 81 – McKines 35, Lee 10, Cruz Jericho 9, Arana 9, Norwood 5, Cruz Jervy 4, Uyloan 2, Ibanes 2, Tang 2, Almazan 2, Quinahan 1, Belga 0.
Quarters: 28-14, 49-42, 71-65, 93-81
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