i TV Pinoy

Source: GMA News

-- Barangay Ginebra leaned on the big game by Eric Menk to survive a big scare from Talk `N Text in a 102-97 win that kept the Kings alive in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Menk, the former league MVP, came through with 20 points and 12 rebounds while finishing 12-of-13 from the foul line, including the last two in the final 1.4 seconds that sealed the win for the embattled Kings.

Game 4 is set Friday with Ginebra hoping to tie the best-of-five series which Talk `N Text still leads, 2-1.

“We don’t want to let the fans down. We’re just happy to be playing on Friday," said Menk.

JC Intal scored a career-high for Ginebra with 25 points, but committed a costly turnover in the final 16 seconds and missed two pressure-packed free throws with nine seconds to go and the Kings protecting a 100-97 lead.

Mac Cardona led Talk `N Text with 18 points, Ranidel de Ocampo had 17 and Jimmy Alapag made 16.

Alapag had a shot at a potential game-tying three-pointer in the waning seconds but missed his attempt, with Menk securing the rebound and the win for the Kings.

Ginebra appeared ready to coast to victory when Celino Cruz’s big three-pointer capped a 10-3 Kings’ run in the final four minutes for a 97-89 lead.

But Alapag and Ali Peek rallied the defending champions back, 99-97, inside the final 60 seconds.

Ronald Tubid, who was a miserable 1-of-9 from the field, split his charities to make it a three-point Ginebra lead, 100-97.

Talk `N Text had two chances of gaining ground, but missed both opportunities as Jason Castro committed a traveling violation off a fastbreak play and RenRen Ritualo, fresh off the bench, missed an open three-pointer.

The Kings were set to wrap things up when Intal was sent to the foul line following Ritualo’s missed trey. The former Ateneo Blue Eagle, however, bungled both charities, giving the Tropang Texters one final stab of sending the game into overtime.

Barangay Ginebra shot five three-pointers in the opening half and enjoyed as much as a 56-41 lead in the final minutes of the second period.