Ginebra channels ‘never say die,’ ties Finals at 2-2
Ginebra leaned on a spirited fourth quarter run to outlast Meralco, 88-86, and pull even at 2-2 in what has been an entertaining 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals series.
Jayjay Helterbrand and Mark Caguiao sparked the Kings’ comeback from 16 points down even as Joe DeVance put on the finishing touches in the winding seconds of the game.
“That was a storybook game for Jay and Mark to do their thing out there,” said coach Tim Cone. “They were amazing.”
The old reliables took charge in the fourth, spurring Ginebra’s 25-4 charge to take an 83-78 lead midway in the period, setting up the frantic finish.
Helterbrand, who celebrated his 40th birthday, got all of his 11 points in the fourth on a perfect 4-of-4 clip, while Caguioa added eight markers, three rebounds, two dimes, two steals, and a block.
“We don’t know what they were doing. They were swinging in the wind. They came out and pretty much did everything and saved our series,” said Cone.
DeVance nailed a huge turnaround jumper with 25.7 seconds to push his side back up, 88-86, as Allen Durham misfired on a triple in the ensuing play.
But LA Tenorio left the door ajar for Meralco after muffing both freethrows with 7.4 seconds left.
Chris Newsome, though, couldn’t bail the Bolts out, forcing a 15-foot jumper.
Game 5 is on Sunday at the same venue with the series now a virtual best-of-three.
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