Source: abs-cbnnews.com
-- Barangay Ginebra had to shrug off a shaky first half to trounce Smart Gilas developmental pool, 100-72, for its third straight win in the KFC-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Friday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Ronald Tubid scored 22 points, 10 in the third period where the Kings broke the game wide open to surge ahead at the top of the team standings with a 3-0 mark.
Jayjay Helterbrand added 15 points while JC Intal and Enrico Villanueva each had 11 markers for coach Jong Uichico.
“We needed a win and we just do what we are supposed to do kasi counted ang game na ito,” said Uichico, who missed the services of Mark Caguioa and Eric Menk in the game due to injuries.
“Malaking bagay rin na hindi naglaro ‘yung kanilang import (CJ Giles). It could have a been a different story kung naglaro si Giles,” he added.
Giles, who played just five minutes in Smart Gilas’s 70-103 defeat to Talk ‘N Text last Wednesday, did not play as he had to attend to a personal matter although he was at the bench of the team.
But even without the 6’11 Giles, who is being eyed to be a naturalized player of the national team, the Gilas were able to stay within striking distance in the first 24 minutes of the contest and trailed by just 5, 38-43.
Japeth Aguilar’s 3-pointer knotted the game for the last time at 47-all early in the third before Helterbrand and Tubid anchored a 17-4 run for a commanding 64-51 lead with 4:40 left in the third.
Smart Gilas managed to slice the lead to a single digit on JV Casio’s jumper, 65-73, but Celino Cruz hit 6 straight points to ignite a 17-2 exchange. This put the game out of Gilas’ reach, 90-67, with under 4 minutes remaining.
Mark Barroca led the aspirants with 20 points but was held to just 4 after the break. He also handed out 9 assists.
Rabeh Al-Hussaini added 14 points and 10 rebounds for Serbian coach Rajko Toroman, whose wards now 0-3 in the tournament. JV Casio contributed 11 and was 5-of-16 from the field.
Barako bows to Giants
Purefoods Tender Juicy bounced back from a disappointing loss against Ginebra as it survived the tenacious Barako Bull, 92-77, for its second win in three games.
James Yap and Kerby Raymundo each had 17 points for the Giants, which needed a strong fourth-quarter start to seize the momentum.
Don Allado added 13 points while Roger Yap chipped in 12 including an incredible under goal shot in the final canto.
“This is one game we cannot take for granted. We’re up against a team that has energetic players and want to prove something,” said Purefoods head coach Ryan Gregorio.
“We knew it’s not gonna be easy and in the end, the respect we accorded to them paid off,” he added.
Ogie Menor led the Energy Boosters with 14 points while Alex Crisano contributed 13 and 10 rebounds for coach Leo Isaac. Leo Najorda, Aris Dimaunahan and Felix Belano chipped in 11 each for Barako Bull, which dropped to 1-2.
Streaking Aces tame Tigers
Alaska joined Ginebra at the top of the team standings after demolishing Coca-Cola, 100-79, for its third straight win in as many games.
The Aces drew strength from their second unit, led by Reynel Hugnatan, Larry Fonacier and Mark Borboran, to get away with the easy win and handed the Tigers their third straight loss and joined Smart Gilas at the bottom of the team standings.
LA Tenorio led Alaska with 17 points while Hugnatan, Fonacier and Joe Devance also hit double figures in scoring.
Alex Cabagnot paced Coke with 15 points while Marvin Cruz and RJ Rizada chipped in 11 and 10 markers respectively for coach Kenneth Duremdes.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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