GINEBRA RECOVERS IN TIME TO RIP BARAKO BULL
Barangay Ginebra shrugged off a sluggish first half, cranking up late in the third period and going in full throttle in the payoff quarter as the Kings pulled off a dramatic 94-75 win over the Barako Bull Energy in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
Limited to five points in the first three quarters, Joseph Yeo erupted for 12 on four-of-four three-pointers in the final canto, leading the Kings’ late surge that carried them to solo second place with a 5-1 win-loss card.
“It was very difficult for us in the first two quarters and a half. They had scouted us very well, knowing what we wanted to do. What’s good was we adjusted after that,” said Ginebra coach Jeff Cariaso.
“And luckily, Joseph Yeo was on our team,” Cariaso also said, lauding the former La Salle hotshot for his timely explosion.
Yeo came alive in the payoff period, starring in a torrid 21-3 assault that sent the Kings on the run all the way to a smashing 19-point victory in the game where they trailed by 13 early on.
“Also credit goes to his teammates who look for him. You play well with each other, and good things happen,” said Cariaso.
The Kings made it three in a row following a 100-91 whipping of the Blackwater Elite and an 89-66 rout of the Purefoods Star Hotshots where Yeo also made 17 markers.
Yeo went 6-for-10 from the field in the night and also came through with seven rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes of action.
Earlier, Mark Caguioa, Chris Ellis, Mac Baracael and rookie Rodney Brondial joined forces to spark Ginebra’s initial siege that saw them erase a 41-51 deficit and take the lead, 64-61, going into the last frame.
Caguioa finished with 15 points and seven rebounds while Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar put in 24 points together while carrying the load in the first half.
Behind a tough zone defense, the Energy set the pace in the early going, enjoying a 13-point spread at 39-26 before taking the half at 42-37.
They put up a tough resistance until the Kings opened with an 11-to-nothing attack in the fourth quarter.
Dennis Miranda led the losing team with 19 markers with RR Garcia and JC Intal adding 10 apiece. (SB)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
